Evaluation of the Shear Peel Bond Strength of the Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing Polyetheretherketone Band for Space Maintainer: An In Vitro Study

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Background and aim: Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-fabricated space maintainers offer a reliable alternative to traditionally fabricated stainless steel (SST) appliances, avoiding their commonly encountered drawbacks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the shear peel bond strength of the CAD/CAM polyetheretherketone (PEEK) space maintainer in comparison with an SST one. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 50 molars, divided into two groups: a customized PEEK band (study group) and a prefabricated SST orthodontic molar band (control group). The crowns of the study group were scanned using a lab scanner, the bands were designed using ExoCAD software, and the PEEK disks were milled. The inner surfaces of the PEEK bands were sandblasted, etched, rinsed, and dried. Both bands were cemented to the teeth using self-etch dual-cure resin cement. The sheer peel bond of the bands was tested twice, both before and after cementation, using an electromechanical tensile universal testing machine. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Conclusion: PEEK bands designed with CAD/CAM technology showed a better shear peel bond than SST bands, both before and following cementation, which imply that PEEK might provide a dependable alternative for traditional SST bands used in pediatric dentistry. How to cite this article: Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(1):75-79.