Functionalized Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Composites for Point-of-Care Additive Manufacturing of Patient-Specific Craniomaxillofacial Implants

Patient-specific implant (PSI) production at the point-of-care (POC) using material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing is already an established clinical reality. However, the adoption of MEX-based PSI production remains limited in part by the restricted range of available biomaterials, which constrains its applicability and sustains the continued usage of standard implants. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has emerged as a leading high-performance thermoplastic material for the reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) defects due to its excellent biocompatibility, processability and an elastic modulus comparable to that of cortical bone. However, its intrinsic limitations, including insufficient mechanical strength for load-bearing applications, biological inertness, and radiolucency, restrict its broader clinical use. In this seminar we will investigate the potential of novel PEEK composites, such as carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) and barium sulfate-filled PEEK (BaSO₄-PEEK), to address these constraints.