Biocompatibility of materials for use in the body

Question 1

What is a biomaterial?

Answer 1

Biomaterials are biological materials either synthetic (ceramics, polymer, metal) or natural that are used as part of an implanted medical device to replace an organ or bodily function.

Biomaterials -> Materials in contact with biological tissues
To restore biological tissue, we need to understand and match it.

Question 2

What are some examples of biomaterials used in dentistry?

Answer 2

1. Amalgam
2. Glass ionomers
3. Gold
4. Composites
5. Ceramics
6. Titanium
7. Bone filling products
8. Teeth bleaching product

Question 3

What are 6 different applications of biomaterials?

Answer 3

1. Medical implants- Dental implants, heart valves, artificial joints.
2. Repair and healing of human tissues- Sutures, clips, staples.
3. Cellular scaffolds for regenerating tissues- Biomaterials incorporating cells and bioactive molecules.
4. Molecular probes and nanoparticles- Used for imaging for cancer and to deliver therapies at the molecular level.
5. Biosensors- To detect the presence of specific substances and to transmit that data.
6. Drug-delivery systems- As carriers of drugs to a disease, target drug-coated vascular stents and implantable birth control and chemotherapy devices for cancer patients.

Question 4

What are the 4 things dentists must be wary concerning the biocompatibility of materials?

Answer 4

1. Safety to the patient
2. Safety to the staff
3. Regulatory Compliance issues
4. Legal liability

Question 5

Define biocompatibility

Answer 5

The ability of a material to perform with an APPROPRIATE HOST response in a given SPECIFIC APPLICATION.

Question 6

What 6 qualities must materials used in dentistry have?

Answer 6

1. Non-toxic (both to the patient and staff)
2. Non-irritant (in the mouth and other tissues)
3. Minimal inflammation (acute, not chronic)
4. Tissue integration (implants)
5. Physical and mechanical properties (for intended application)
6. Not be mutagenic or carcinogenic

Question 7

Biologically what occurs when a biomaterial is placed on the body?

Answer 7

1. New interface on the body.
2. The body’s normal homeostasis is disturbed and a TWO-WAY biological interaction takes place.

Question 8

What are 4 effects the body has on the implant material?

Answer 8

1. Protein adsorption- Dependent on material properties.
2. Environmental - Body fluid 0.9 saline, plus cells, proteins.
3. Degradation- Enzymatic (on certain materials)
4. Corrosion-May cause metal to corrode.

Question 9

Principles for restoration?

Answer 9

1. Retention of the material with the tooth structure
2. Maintain function and protect from further mechanical failure
3. Prevent formation of recurrent caries
4. Perform under occlusal load
5. Aesthetics

Question 10

4 main group of dental materials?

Answer 10

● Metals
● Ceramics
● Polymers
● Composites

Question 11

Forces in oral environment?

Answer 11

In the oral environment:
Forces vary from region to region so must select an appropriate one for that area:

Incisors – 155N
Second Molar – 800N
Cyclic chewing stresses vary from 20-100MPa

Question 12

in-vitro testing of biomaterials

Question 13

reaction to different dental materials

Question 14

Role of Biomaterial in Dentistry

This is a very common SAQ