The verification of the useability of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a biomaterial for dental implants is aim of the study. As prearrangement for osteoblastic cell tests, surface modified PEEK specimens were cultivated in simulated body fluid solution (SBF).
Methods:
30 PEEK specimens (2x5x5mm) have been manufactured from 5 PEEK compounds of different chemical configuration and were polished. Afterwards two thirds of the specimens were grinded with bioceramics (GB and TCP) of different grain sizes; 10 specimens remained untreated. The specimens were cultivated in SBF - prepared according to Kokubo et al. - and rinsed in distilled water respectivly in ultrasonic cleaning system. SEM- micrographs, EDX- analysis and statistics were taken.
Results:
SEM- micrographs showed a constant precipitation independently from chemical configuration of the PEEK compounds. Ultrasonic cleaned specimens demonstrated significant lower deposits. Furthermore a dependency between surface roughness and precipitation could be displayed. The EDX spectrum showed the appearance of calcium and phosphate at all surfaces whereas the concentration increased from TCP- to polished- to GB-modified specimens.
Conclusion:
Different roughness of PEEK surfaces leads to a different intensity of precipitation independently from chemical configuration of the PEEK compuonds. An average roughness (Rz) of 15,23µm (GB treated specimens) showed most precipitation and should have a positive influence on cell- adherency of osteoblastic cells in further studies.