Biomaterials and Their Applications in Dentistry - A Literature Review

Abstract

With an estimated 20 million individuals possessing an implanted medical device, biomaterials are now commonly used in medicine and dentistry. Today, biomaterials are widely used in dentistry. Biomaterials are widely used in dentistry. They are divided into four general categories of polymers, ceramics, metals and composites. A variety of dental biomaterials have been developed as clinical needs of dental patients has increased. Newly developed dental biomaterials should be physically stable and biocompatible for their own purposes in oral environment. The extensive use of biomaterials, however, remains a relatively recent concept and dates back to the 1950s. This has contributed to a paradigm shift in the design of biomedical devices over the past 25 years, from being biologically inactive to fully incorporated. By exploring the rationale and clinical demand that have guided both the developments in clinically applied devices and those at the research and development level, this mini review highlights the production and application of biomaterials. Relevant areas of current research activities are addressed and some of the criteria. KEY WORDS Biomaterials, Dental, Tissue Engineering, Polymers, Stem Cell Research