Effect of Surface Modifications of Poly Ether Ether Ketone on Surface Roughness, Wettability and Bonding to Veneering Resin Composite

Introductio: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was widely utilized for medical applications, showing obvious recent focus in dentistry. Using PEEK for complete-coverage monolithic replacements was constrained through various aesthetic issues due to its off-white shade and little transparency. Consequently, further veneering is required to achieve acceptable aesthetics. Aim: In this study, a modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material was bonded to a resin composite veneer with the aim of evaluating the impact of various surfacing preparation methods for roughness, wettability also shears bond strength. Material and Methods: 160 disk-shaped PEEK specimens with dimensions (5×5×2mm) were cut to 4 groups: Group 1(without any modification), Group 2(98% sulfuric acid etched for one minute), Group 3(sandblasted through 50 μm Al2O3), then Group 4(combination of airborne particle abrasion and sulfuric acid etching). Surface roughness (Ra) was determined using a profilometer, while wettability was determined according to the static sessile drop method using deionized water at 22°C for contact angle measurements. Shear bond strength (SBS) was assessed on universal test device. Statistics were applied to the data using ANOVA. Results: Surface roughness of the specimens was significantly raised (p ≤ 0.001) by air abrasion with 50 μm alumina. The most significant shear bond strength measurements were found for the combination of airborne particle abrasion and acid etching. Conclusion: A reinforced PEEK that contains 20% submicron ceramic fillers, could be treated by sandblasting and etching, to development durable bond.