Affiliations: [a] First Clinical Division, Peking University Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China | [b] Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China | [c] Department of Geriatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China | [d] National Center for Stomatology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China | [e] National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China | [f] National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Yunyang Bai, Department of Geriatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. E-mail: baiyunyang@bjmu.edu.cn.
Note: [1] Jiaqi Wu and Xiujing Wang contributed equally to this study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polyaromatic semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with mechanical and lubrication properties favorable for biomedical applications. Despite of its aesthetic appearance, ceramic brackets are unsatisfactory in brittleness and thickness, while PEEK is a potential material for aesthetic orthodontic brackets. OBJECTIVE: To fabricate a novel aesthetic orthodontic bracket and evaluate friction properties of PEEK and stainless steel wires. METHODS: All polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and ceramic samples disks were made into disks (diameter, 5 mm; thickness, 2 mm). The tested surfaces of PEEK were ground with #600, #800 and #1200 SiC papers, followed by polishing with Sof-Lex kit (3M ESPE, USA). The surface roughness was tested using a laser profilometer device (VK-X200, Keyence, Japan). The COFs of the specimens and stainless steel (SS) archwires were tested using a Universal Micro-Tribotester (UMT-3, Bruker, USA). The wear scratches on the materials’ surfaces were examined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Hitachi SU8010). The elastic modulus and hardness of samples were examined with a nano-indenter (XP, Keysight Technologies, USA). RESULTS: The mean surface roughness of PEEK and Ceramic are 0.320 ± 0.028 μm and 0.343 ± 0.044 μm, respectively. PEEK has a lower Friction coefficient than Ceramic and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P< 0.05). The abrasive wear of Ceramic was the main wear style and was characterized by the observation of chipping fractures, while PEEK surface looked smooth without obvious scale-like desquamations and granular debris, indicating adhesive wear. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, PEEK shows lower coefficient of friction than ceramic. PEEK has excellent properties such as low friction coefficient, smooth surface and good mechanical properties, and thus meets the requirements for orthodontic brackets. It is considered as a potential bracket material with both low friction and aesthetic performance.
Keywords: Polyetheretherketone, orthodontic brackets, esthetics, orthodontic friction, coefficient of friction
