Surface Engineering of AgNPs-Decorated Polyetheretherketone

Comprehensive review of polyetheretherketone use in dentistry

PURPOSE

This study aimed to comprehensively summarize the current state, shortcomings, and challenges regarding the use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in various fields of stomatology.

STUDY SELECTION

This study reviewed articles retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. The main keywords used during the search included "polyetheretherketone (PEEK)," "dental materials," "orthodontics," "prosthodontics," "oral implantology," "oral and maxillofacial surgery," "periodontics" "osseointegration," and "surface modification."

RESULTS

Numerous studies have highlighted the properties of PEEK that contribute to its usefulness in dentistry, including its high biocompatibility, fracture resistance, aesthetics, radiolucency, and bone-like mechanical properties. Promising applications of PEEK in dentistry include orthodontic archwires, interceptive orthodontic appliances, fixed lingual retainers, crowns, post and cores, fixed partial dentures, removable partial dentures, maxillofacial prostheses, dental implants, implant abutments, alveolar bone scaffolds, jaw reconstruction, temporomandibular joint reconstruction, periodontal splints, and occlusal splints. In addition, many in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that the in vivo bone integration capability can be effectively improved using advanced surface modification technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

PEEK has been explored in several dentistry fields owing to its excellent properties. PEEK and its modifications are most frequently used in clinical dentistry. However, most of its applications are based on in vitro or short-term in vivo evaluations. Additional long-term clinical data are required to demonstrate the applicability and superiority of PEEK in dentistry.

Antifouling nanoplatform for controlled attachment ofE. coli

Biofouling is the most common cause of bacterial contamination in implanted materials/devices resulting in severe inflammation, implant mobilization, and eventual failure. Since bacterial attachment represents the initial step toward biofouling, developing synthetic surfaces that prevent bacterial adhesion is of keen interest in biomaterials research. In this study, we develop antifouling nanoplatforms that effectively impede bacterial adhesion and the consequent biofilm formation. We synthesize the antifouling nanoplatform by introducing silicon (Si)/silica nanoassemblies to the surface through ultrafast ionization of Si substrates. We assess the effectiveness of these nanoplatforms in inhibitingEscherichia coli(E. coli) adhesion. The findings reveal a significant reduction in bacterial attachment on the nanoplatform compared to untreated silicon, with bacteria forming smaller colonies. By manipulating physicochemical characteristics such as nanoassembly size/concentration and nanovoid size, we further control bacterial attachment. These findings suggest the potential of our synthesized nanoplatform in developing biomedical implants/devices with improved antifouling properties.

Strategies to improve the performance of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as orthopedic implants: from surface modification to addition of bioactive materials

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), as a high-performance polymer, is widely used for bone defect repair due to its homogeneous modulus of elasticity of human bone, good biocompatibility, excellent chemical stability and projectability. However, the highly hydrophobic surface of PEEK is biologically inert, which makes it difficult for cells and proteins to attach, and is accompanied by the development of infections that ultimately lead to failure of PEEK implants. In order to further enhance the potential of PEEK as an orthopedic implant, researchers have explored modification methods such as surface modification by physical and chemical means and the addition of bioactive substances to PEEK-based materials to enhance the mechanical properties, osteogenic activity and antimicrobial properties of PEEK. However, these current modification methods still have obvious shortcomings in terms of cost, maneuverability, stability and cytotoxicity, which still need to be explored by researchers. This paper reviews some of the modification methods that have been used to improve the performance of PEEK over the last three years in anticipation of the need for researchers to design PEEK orthopedic implants that better meet clinical needs.

An Antimicrobial Copper-Plastic Composite Coating: Characterization and In Situ Study in a Hospital Environment

A method has been proposed for creating an operationally durable copper coating with antimicrobial properties for the buttons of electrical switches based on the gas dynamic spray deposition of copper on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. It is shown that during the coating process, a polymer film is formed on top of the copper layer. Comparative in situ studies of microbial contamination have shown that the copper-coated buttons have a significant antimicrobial effect compared to standard buttons. Analysis of swabs over a 22-week study in a hospital environment showed that the frequency of contamination for a copper-coated button with various microorganisms was 2.7 times lower than that of a control button. The presented results allow us to consider the developed copper coating for plastic switches an effective alternative method in the fight against healthcare-associated infections.

Methods to improve antibacterial properties of PEEK: A review

As a thermoplastic and bioinert polymer, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) serves as spine implants, femoral stems, cranial implants, and joint arthroplasty implants due to its mechanical properties resembling the cortical bone, chemical stability, and radiolucency. Although there are standards and antibiotic treatments for infection control during and after surgery, the infection risk is lowered but can not be eliminated. The antibacterial properties of PEEK implants should be improved to provide better infection control. This review includes the strategies for enhancing the antibacterial properties of PEEK in four categories: immobilization of functional materials and functional groups, forming nanocomposites, changing surface topography, and coating with antibacterial material. The measuring methods of antibacterial properties of the current studies of PEEK are explained in detail under quantitative, qualitative, andin vivomethods. The mechanisms of bacterial inhibition by reactive oxygen species generation, contact killing, trap killing, and limited bacterial adhesion on hydrophobic surfaces are explained with corresponding antibacterial compounds or techniques. The prospective analysis of the current studies is done, and dual systems combining osteogenic and antibacterial agents immobilized on the surface of PEEK are found the promising solution for a better implant design.

A New Promising Material for Biological Applications: Multilevel Physical Modification of AgNP-Decorated PEEK

In the case of polymer medical devices, the surface design plays a crucial role in the contact with human tissue. The use of AgNPs as antibacterial agents is well known; however, there is still more to be investigated about their anchoring into the polymer surface. This study describes the changes in the surface morphology and behaviour in the biological environment of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with immobilised AgNPs after different surface modifications. The initial composites were prepared by immobilising silver nanoparticles from a colloid solution in the upper surface layers of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The prepared samples (Ag/PEEK) had a planar morphology and were further modified with a KrF laser, a GaN laser, and an Ar plasma. The samples were studied using the AFM method to visualise changes in surface morphology and obtain information on the height of the structures and other surface parameters. A comparative analysis of the nanoparticles and polymers was performed using FEG-SEM. The chemical composition of the surface of the samples and optical activity were studied using XPS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Finally, drop plate antibacterial and cytotoxicity tests were performed to determine the role of Ag nanoparticles after modification and suitability of the surface, which are important for the use of the resulting composite in biomedical applications.