A balance of biocompatibility and antibacterial capability of 3D printed PEEK implants with natural totarol coating

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a biomaterial with appropriate bone-like mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility, is widely applied in cranio-maxillofacial and dental applications. However, the lack of antibacterial effect is an essential drawback of PEEK material and might lead to infection and osseointegration issues. This study aims to apply a natural antibacterial agent, totarol coating onto the 3D printed PEEK surface and find an optimized concentration with balanced cytocompatibility, osteogenesis, and antibacterial capability.