The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between Streptococcus oralis and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a novel material recently introduced in implantology. The topographical characterization and the Streptococcus oralis adhesion on this material were compared with other titanium surfaces, currently used for the production of dental implants: machined and double etched (DAE). The superficial micro-roughness of the PEEK discs was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and, the Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) analyzed their chemical composition. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize the micro-topography and the sessile method to evaluate the wettability of the samples. Microbiological analysis measured the colony forming units (CFUs), the biomass (OD₅₇₀ detection) and the cell viability after 24 and 48 h after Streptococcus oralis cultivation on the different discs, that were previously incubated with saliva. Results showed that PEEK was characterized by a micro-roughness that was similar to machined titanium but at nano-level the nano-roughness was significantly higher in respect to the other samples. The EDS showed that PEEK superficial composition was characterized mainly by Carbonium and Oxygen. The hydrophilicity and wetting properties of PEEK were similar to machined titanium; on the contrary, double etched discs (DAE) samples were characterized by significantly higher levels (p < 0.05). PEEK was characterized by significant lower CFUs, biomass and viable cells in respect to the titanium surfaces. No differences were found between machined and DAE. The anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties showed by PEEK at 24 and 48 h against a pioneer such as S. oralis, could have an important role in the prevention of all pathologies connected with biofilm formation, like peri-implantitis in dentistry or prosthetic failures in orthopedics.

本研究的目的是评估口腔链球菌和聚醚醚酮 (PEEK)之间的相互作用，这是一种最近在种植学中引入的新型材料。地形特征和口腔链球菌这种材料的附着力与目前用于生产牙科植入物的其他钛表面进行了比较：机加工和双蚀刻 (DAE)。PEEK 圆盘的表面微观粗糙度通过扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 进行分析，并且能量色散光谱仪 (EDS) 分析了它们的化学成分。原子力显微镜 (AFM) 用于表征微形貌和固着方法来评估样品的润湿性。微生物分析测量了口腔链球菌感染后 24 和 48 小时的菌落形成单位 (CFU)、生物量（OD ₅₇₀检测）和细胞活力在不同的圆盘上培养，这些圆盘之前用唾液培养过。结果表明，PEEK 的特征在于其微观粗糙度与机械加工钛相似，但在纳米级，纳米粗糙度明显高于其他样品。EDS 表明 PEEK 表面成分的特征主要是碳和氧。PEEK的亲水性和润湿性与机械加工钛相似；相反，双蚀刻盘 (DAE) 样品的特征在于显着更高的水平 ( p < 0.05)。PEEK 的特点是与钛表面相比，CFU、生物量和活细胞显着降低。机加工和 DAE 之间没有发现差异。PEEK 在 24 和 48 小时对先驱S.oralis表现出的抗粘连和抗菌特性可能在预防与生物膜形成相关的所有病理方面发挥重要作用，例如牙科中的种植体周围炎或假体失败骨科。