Abstract
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a potential alternative material for traditional metal- and ceramic-based implants due to its more favorable mechanical properties over metal and ceramic materials. Although PEEK is non-toxic and biocompatible, it forms inferior osseointegration with bone tissue, which significantly limits its load-bearing applications such as dental implants. Inorganic non-metallic materials offer several unique advantages over organic materials when used as coatings, such as mechanical compatibility to the substrate, high wear and corrosive resistance, stability and durability. Consequently, this review comprehensively summarizes the important coating properties of dental implants, compares the advantages and disadvantages of the frequently used deposition technologies for inorganic non-metallic coatings, and discusses the biofunctionality of the inorganic non-metallic coatings that have been applied to PEEK implants. The review aims to provide comprehensive information on inorganic non-metallic coatings and highlight the current research limitations and future research directions to push forward research and clinical translation of PEEK dental implants for load-bearing applications.