Evonik launches stiffer VESTAKEEP PEEK grades for long-term dental prosthetics

Evonik has introduced two new VESTAKEEP PEEK dental grades, DC4760 (dentin colored) and DC4780 (gingiva colored), for long-term dental prosthetics from its High Performance Polymers business line. The grades offer higher stiffness, a level an independent Charité and Einstein Center Digital Future study found suitable for implant-supported dentures, while retaining flexural strength, polishability and CAD/CAM compatibility. They are available as rods or CAD/CAM discs, and Evonik will provide regulatory support for customers' MDR registration.

Key facts

Market context

PEEK, or polyetheretherketone, is a high-performance semi-crystalline thermoplastic valued for its heat resistance, chemical resistance, mechanical strength and biocompatibility. It is processed by injection molding, extrusion and machining, and is used across aerospace, automotive, electronics and medical devices. In dentistry, PEEK-based materials are gaining interest as alternatives to metals and some conventional acrylics for frameworks and prosthetic restorations, and CAD/CAM milling of pre-formed rods and discs suits dental laboratories and clinics. Demand in this niche depends on dental prosthetics volumes, the adoption of digital workflows and regulatory approval, since medical device registration can be a long process. Specialty grades with tailored properties such as stiffness, color and polishability tend to compete on performance and documentation rather than on commodity price. Suppliers of high-performance polymers are therefore watched for how they support customers through certification, which can shape adoption and switching decisions.

Source: official release on evonik.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.