Peek polymer as an alternative for intraradicular retention: an integrativeliterature review

Abstract

The search for materials with improved biomechanical and aesthetic performance for intraradicular retainers has driven the investigation of high-performance polymers, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility of PEEK as an intraradicular post, comparing its mechanical, adhesive, and aesthetic properties with those of fiberglass posts. An integrative literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted, based on the PICO model criteria and adapted guidelines from the PRISMA protocol. The search was carried out in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, using MeSH descriptors related to dental posts, biomechanical analysis, and restorative materials, including publications from 2013 to February 2025. A total of 25 articles addressing the use of PEEK in comparison to fiberglass posts were included. The data demonstrate that PEEK exhibits an elastic modulus similar to that of dentin, promoting more favorable stress distribution during mastication and resulting in potentially more reparable fractures. However, limitations remain regarding its adhesion to resin cements and aesthetic mimicry. It is concluded that, although PEEK shows promise as an alternative to conventional intraradicular retainers, further clinical studies are necessary to validate its application in diverse clinical scenarios.

Keywords: Tooth fractures; Dental post; Polymers; PEEK; Restorative dentistry.