Biomaterials – Applications in Dental Surgery

=Definition= Any material put into/interact with living organism with the objective to restore, augment or replace the function of the organism. Biomaterials do not have to be biomimetic, but to restore function.

=General Classification=

Metals

 * Co-Cr alloys
 * Stainless Steel
 * Gold
 * Titanium alloys
 * Vitalium
 * Nitinol

Applications

 * Prosthodontics
 * Orthopaedics
 * Fracture fixation

Ceramics

 * Zirconia
 * Allumina
 * Calcium Phosphate
 * Pyrolytic Carbon

Applications

 * Orthopaedics
 * Heart Valves
 * Dental Reconstruction

Coatings

 * Bioglass
 * Hydroxyapatite
 * Diamond-like carbon
 * Polymers

Applications

 * Orthopaedics
 * Contact lenses
 * in-growth

Polymers

 * Silicones
 * Gore-tex
 * Polyurethanes
 * Polyethylanes

Applications

 * Orthopaedics
 * Catheters
 * Vascular Grafts

Hydrogels

 * Cellulose
 * Acrylic co-polymers

Applications

 * Drug Delivery
 * Vitreous implants
 * Wound Healing

Resorbables

 * Polyglycollic acid
 * Polylactic Acid
 * Polyesters

Applications

 * Sutures
 * Drug delivery
 * In-gowth
 * Tissue engineering

=Classification according to bio-compatibility.=


 * Bio-tolerated = no rejection but fibrotic border
 * Bio-inert = osteointigration at bone implant contact. Eg Titanium coated with zirconium oxide
 * Bio-active = induce changes in body.
 * Biotoxic = not used.