Exploring PEKK: properties, applications and promise of personalized medicine

Abstract

Poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK) exhibits a bone-matching elastic modulus, commendable modifiability, and 3D-printable processability. These attributes enable its application in customized porous implants with optimized mechanical compatibility and osteogenic potential, particularly for orthopedic and dental regenerative therapies. This review evaluates the chemical characteristics, crystallization behavior, and mechanical properties of PEKK, alongside current strategies for material modification and additive manufacturing tailored to clinical requirements. Thus, PEKK-based restorative solutions exhibit great flexibility and adaptability when facing complex restorative demands of orthopedics and dentistry. The potential of PEKK in fields such as orthopedic surgery, dentistry, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine is promising, with a possibility to serve as an alternative to traditional metal materials. However, the advantages of PEKK are not yet sufficient to supplant currently widely used implant material and further in-depth research and long-term evaluation is required.