Current Trends in Dental Biomaterials
Prof. Iulian Vasile Antoniac, BSc, MSc, PhD
Abstract
Dental medicine has some constraints today due to a great demand to improve the
current treatment facilities and following esthetic criterions. Biomaterials play a
fundamental role in the development of implants and other medical devices designed
to replace or repair damaged tissues and offer innovative solutions in the fields of
dentistry.
This contribution explores key facts in biomaterials, their types along with their
examples, advantages, disadvantages and their applications and what are the factors
that we should keep in our mind before choosing any biomaterial. This systematic
analysis offers a comprehensive overview of biomaterials, highlighting various types
of materials used in clinical research, and brings a contribution to a deeper understanding of biomaterial applications in clinical settings. Emerging biomaterials,
such as biodegradable metals, are at the forefront of biomedical research, promising
transformative advances in health care treatments.
The development of engineered biomaterials into clinically translated therapeutics
relies heavily on effective clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy, as well as
to determine appropriate dosages and other parameters. Rigorous evaluation of
these materials contributes substantially to advancements in patient care and
treatment modalities.
Anyway, at this moment there still needs to be many interdisciplinary research work
ahead, and numerous efforts are currently underway to improve the gap between
research results and clinically successful trials of some commercial products.
Learning Objectives
- To identify and classify current dental biomaterials by understanding their
composition, properties, advantages, limitations, and clinical applications in
contemporary dentistry. - To evaluate the criteria for selecting appropriate biomaterials in different
clinical scenarios, taking into account biological compatibility, mechanical
performance, esthetic outcomes, and long-term predictability. - To recognize emerging trends and future directions in dental biomaterials
research, including biodegradable metals and engineered biomaterials, and to
appreciate the role of robust clinical trials in successfully translating
innovations into routine clinical practice.