Biofilm formation on polyetheretherketone and titanium surfaces.

OBJECTIVE

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polymer used in devices in orthopedic and dental rehabilitation. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare biofilm formation by a range of important oral bacterial species on PEEK, blasted PEEK, commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti), and titanium-6 aluminium-4 vanadium (Ti6Al4V).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Coin-shaped samples were manufactured, and the surfaces were characterized using optical interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. Bacterial species of , and were cultured on the four material surfaces for varying amounts of time. Biofilms were quantified following staining with crystal violet.

RESULTS

Roughness and contact angle results showed blasted PEEK > PEEK > cp-Ti = Ti6Al4V. There was increased biofilm formation on blasted PEEK by , and , whereas the bacterial adhesion was similar on PEEK, cp-Ti, and Ti6Al4V. The bacterial growth of was significantly higher on cp-Ti compared with the other three groups.

CONCLUSION

The results, taking into consideration the biofilm formation, suggest that PEEK should perform as well as cp-Ti or TiAl6V4 when used as a dental restorative material.