Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a thermoplastic polymer from the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family, is increasingly used in dental biomedical applications because of its bioinert properties. This comprehensive review examines PEEK's suitability as a dental implant fixture and other related prostheses, focusing on its mechanical stability, chemical resistance, and compatibility with human bone. PEEK's ability to distribute and transmit occlusal forces to surrounding bone, along with its aesthetic advantages, make it a promising implant material that outperforms titanium and zirconia. PEEK has been successfully employed in various dental implantology applications, including implant fixtures, abutments, scan bodies, abutment screws, and implant-supported superstructures such as frameworks, crowns, and bridges, as well as overdenture attachment components. As a dental implant fixture, PEEK has undergone several modifications to enhance its surface, mechanical, and biological properties. PEEK exhibits comparable mechanical strength to other materials but offers advantages such as reduced production times and costs, improved toughness, and recyclability. Its non-interference with MRI and CBCT enhances diagnostic capabilities, while bioactive substances like hydroxyapatite further enhance its dental applications. Several manufacturing methods are available, each with specific advantages and limitations. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling is commonly used in dental labs but leads to material waste and tool wear challenges. Advances in micro-milling and cutting tool technology enable finer detail in PEEK parts. Additionally, 3-D printing is emerging as a promising technology for more precise and efficient dental part production. This review aims to update the current knowledge about PEEK applications, modifications, and manufacturing in the field of dental implantology. Moreover, it explores the challenges and suggests future research directions for optimising PEEK's bioactivity and stress distribution.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between electronic health (eHealth) literacy and oral health outcomes, including the number of teeth and brushing frequency. Methods: A total of 478 participants were included in the study and assessed for their eHealth literacy levels. Demographic variables, including age, gender, income, and education, were collected. The participants’ number of teeth and brushing frequency were also recorded. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results: The study sample consisted of both males (66.5%) and females (33.5%), with a mean age of 31.95 years. Among the participants, 16.95% were classified as having inadequate eHealth literacy, 24.06% had problematic eHealth literacy, and the majority (59.00%) demonstrated sufficient eHealth literacy. There was a significant association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy had a higher likelihood of having a greater number of teeth (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05–1.20, p < 0.001) compared to those with inadequate eHealth literacy. Similarly, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy showed a higher likelihood of having more teeth (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07–1.21, p < 0.001) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group controlling for age, gender, income, and education. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy exhibited a tendency towards lower odds of irregular brushing (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15–1.02, p = 0.054), although this result was marginally significant. In contrast, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy had significantly lower odds of irregular brushing frequency (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.62, p = 0.003) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group. Conclusion: The findings suggest a positive association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Improving eHealth literacy may have implications for promoting better oral health behaviors and outcomes.

This scoping review aimed to evaluate the current state of virtual reality (VR) implementation in dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its advantages and challenges. A scoping review examined VR’s role in regrading dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2024. Studies including VR applications for education, skills development, or anxiety/pain management involving Saudi dental students and practitioners were included. Eleven relevant studies were identified: 5 focused on education and 6 on clinical practice. Educational studies showed mixed effectiveness of VR versus traditional methods but positive student perceptions. Clinical application studies also had mixed results on VR’s impact on anxiety and pain, though some benefits were noted. VR systems included distraction-based, simulator-based, and hybrid VR/augmented reality with artificial intelligence. While the current implementation of VR in dental practice in Saudi Arabia shows promise, particularly in enhancing students’ engagement and reducing patients’ anxiety, more comprehensive and robust research is needed to validate its effectiveness fully. Strategic efforts should focus on expanding research, tailoring applications, and integrating VR with traditional methods to align with the healthcare objectives of Vision 2030.

Background: Orthodontic treatments aim to enhance dental aesthetics, functionality, and long-term oral health. Clear aligners have gained popularity as an aesthetic and convenient option for patients seeking orthodontic correction. However, the quality and readability of online Arabic patient-centered information regarding clear aligners has not been studied yet. The aim of our study is to investigate the quality and readability of Arabic patient-centered information about clear aligners. Methods: We conducted an extensive evaluation of Arabic web-based content pertaining to clear aligners using three prominent search engines. Eligible websites were categorized based on specialization, organizational affiliation, material type, and presentation style. We assessed website quality and reliability using the DISCERN instrument, Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and Health on the Net (HON) code. In addition, we measured readability using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Results: Out of 600 search results, 195 websites met the inclusion criteria. None of the websites were HON-code accredited. DISCERN assessments revealed low content quality, with none of the websites achieving high-quality status. The JAMA benchmarks showed limited compliance with the four items, with currency being the most frequently achieved. Readability assessments indicated generally high readability, with FKGL scores suggesting easy comprehension for the average readers. Conclusion: While Arabic web-based information on clear aligners is highly readable, its credibility and quality require significant improvement. Websites should adhere to medical information standards, subject content to rigorous assessments, and seek accreditation to ensure reliability. Enhancing the accessibility and comprehensibility of health-related content will empower individuals to make informed health decisions. Addressing limitations, such as social media and video content evaluation, and conducting comparisons with English websites in future research will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the landscape of online orthodontic information.