Improving Osseointegration Potential of 3D Printed PEEK Implants with Biomimetic Periodontal Ligament Fiber Hydrogel Surface Modifications

Abstract

The bioinertness, poor antibacterial properties, and weak osseointegration of polyether‐etherketone (PEEK) limit its clinical application as oral implants. In this study, it is developed a personalized and customizable PEEK implant with multifunctional capabilities through sequential 3D printing, surface sulfonation (SPEEK), and modification using a drug‐loaded photocured hydrogel composed of acrylic acid‐acrylamide (AA‐AM) containing simvastatin‐cefepime (SIM‐CFP). The modified implant, referred to as SCHSPEEK, mimics the structure of biomimetic periodontal ligament (PDL) fibers. The chemical composition, surface characteristics, and biological properties of SCHSPEEK both in vitro and in vivo are systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that hydrogel modification not only enhances hydrophilicity and reduces surface roughness and friction coefficient, but also improves biocompatibility, drug release, and antibacterial efficacy. Importantly, SCHSPEEK exhibits a significant improvement in osseointegration capacity in vivo. These findings highlight the potential of SCHSPEEK implants to serve as promising orthopedic and dental implants in clinical settings.

Three-Dimensional Printing Strategies for Enhanced Hydrogel Applications

“…There is a growing emphasis on developing scaffolds that offer multifunctional capabilities, such as improved osseointegration, antibacterial properties [60], and conductivity conducive to neuron growth [61]. This trend towards multifunctionality reflects a shift in focus towards creating scaffolds that not only support tissue growth but also integrate additional features to enhance the overall therapeutic outcome.…”

“…A pivotal area of focus is on the mechanical properties and structural integrity of hydrogels, with a significant body of work [2,22,23,49,56,57,59,60,62,65,[71][72][73][74]80] emphasizing the evaluation of tensile strength, compressive strength, elasticity, toughness, and viscoelastic properties. This emphasis is crucial for applications where mechanical integrity is paramount, such as tissue engineering scaffolds [119,121,122,129] and soft robotics [63].…”

“…The field is advancing through novel crosslinking methods [15,18,19] and the incorporation of functional materials [69][70][71], aiming to strike a balance between strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Enhanced bioprinting techniques [74][75][76] and the integration of bioactive molecules [60,72,73] are paving the way for more intricate and functional tissue constructs. The development of smart and responsive hydrogels [77][78][79] heralds new prospects for medical devices and drug delivery systems.…”