Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic material widely used in engineering applications due to its good biomechanical properties and high temperature stability. Compared to traditional metal and ceramic dental materials, PEEK dental implants exhibit less stress shielding, thus better matching the mechanical properties of bone. As a promising medical material, PEEK can be used as implant abutments, removable and fixed prostheses, and maxillofacial prostheses. It can be blended with materials such as fibers and ceramics to improve its mechanical strength for better clinical dental applications. Compared to conventional pressed and CAD/CAM milling fabrication, 3D-printed PEEK exhibits excellent flexural and tensile strength and parameters such as printing temperature and speed can affect its mechanical properties. However, the bioinert nature of PEEK can make adhesive bonding difficult. The bond strength can be improved by roughening or introducing functional groups on the PEEK surface by sandblasting, acid etching, plasma treatment, laser treatment, and adhesive systems. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research progress on the mechanical properties of PEEK for dental applications in the context of specific applications, composites, and their preparation processes. In addition, the research on the adhesive properties of PEEK over the past few years is highlighted. Thus, this review aims to build a conceptual and practical toolkit for the study of the mechanical and adhesive properties of PEEK materials. More importantly, it provides a rationale and a general new basis for the application of PEEK in the dental field.

As a revolutionary implant material, magnesium and its alloys have many exciting performances, such as biodegradability, mechanical compatibility, and excellent biosecurity. However, the rapid and uncontrollable degradation rate of magnesium greatly hampers its clinical use. Many efforts have been taken to enhance the corrosion resistance of magnesium. However, it must be noted that improving the corrosion resistance of magnesium will lead to the compromise of its antibacterial abilities, which are attribute and proportional to the alkaline pH during its degradation. Providing antibacterial functionalized coating is one of the best methods for balancing the degradation rate and the antibacterial ability of magnesium. Antibacterial functionalized magnesium is especially well-suited for patients with diabetes and infected wounds. Considering the extremely complex biological environment in the human body and the demands of enhancing corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, osteogenesis, and antibacterial ability, composite coatings with combined properties of different materials may be promising. The aim of this review isto collect and compare recent studies on antibacterial functionalized coatings on magnesium and its alloys. The clinical applications of antibacterial functionalized coatings and their material characteristics, antibacterial abilities, in vitro cytocompatibility, and corrosion resistance are also discussed in detail.

Oral diseases can affect the quality of life of patients and cause secondary systemic diseases, thereby harming systemic health. Hydrogen has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis and other effects, indicating its therapeutic significance for many kinds of diseases. Hydrogen administered through different methods can effectively reduce plaque biofilm formation, resist oxidative stress, inhibit the inflammatory response, and promote tissue repair and regeneration. This review summarizes the primary strategies for and research on hydrogen therapy, as well as the application of hydrogen in oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, oral mucosal diseases, jaw diseases, oral and maxillofacial tumors, and trigeminal neuralgia. We highlight the regulatory effects of hydrogen on the functional states and interactions of common oral disease pathogens and various cells, including immune cells, osteoblast-associated cells, osteoclasts, and fibroblasts, and summarize the involved signaling pathways. In addition, this paper discusses the problems and shortcomings of the existing research, and highlights the directions for future development to provide the basis and support for future investigations into the mechanisms through which hydrogen exerts antioxidant stress and anti-inflammatory activity, promotes mucosal healing, enhances bone regeneration, as well as alleviates neuropathic pain.