Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ecosystem [11]. It consists of species which are responsible for
protecting the surrounding tissues against the pathogenic bacteria.
In a physiological state, all bacteria remain in equilibrium. The
change in a pathological state occurs when the inluence of the
negative factors, such as antibiotic administration, fermentation of
food, and a dysfunction of the immunological system, is stronger
than the protective ability of the system. The physical and chemical
nature of the oral cavity is not uniform and changes depending on
the localization. For example, anaerobes can be found in gingival
sulcus, whereas aerobes exist on supragingival surfaces, due to
presence of oxygen. Also, the presence of food changes the oxygen
concentration, pH, the metabolites, which in consequence also has
its impact on the bacteria species existing in the oral cavity.
The biocompatibility of biomaterials depends on many factors,
mainly on composition, location, and interaction with surrounding
tissues within the oral cavity [2]. Due to differences in composition
of materials, we encounter different biological responses. However,
the reaction of the host body depends on whether the implanted
material releases any of its components, which may be toxic,
mutagenic, or immunogenic to the tissues. Not without any inluence
is also the location of the implant. Some materials that may be
toxic in contact with oral mucosa are biocompatible with the hard
tissues and vice versa. We have to take into consideration the fact
that the stomatognathic system is variable, taking for instance the
pH, the effects of body luids, which also have their effect on the
biocompatibility of materials. The morphology of the biomaterial
surface should be designed so, or to elicit the growth of cells, or to
prevent the attachment of other cells or retention of plaque.
References
1. Bayne, S.C. (2007). Dental restorations for oral rehabilitation — testing
of laboratory properties versus clinical performance for clinical
decision making,
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Oral Rehab
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2. Craig, R.G., and Ward, M.L. (1997).
Restorative Dental Materials
, 10th
ed., Mosby, St. Louis.
3. Farantalz, G.J., Beckler, I.M., Gremilion, H., and Pink, F. (1998). The
effectiveness of equilibration in the improvement of signs and
symptoms in the stomatognathic system,
Intern
.
J
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Periodontics
Restorative Dent
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18
, pp. 595−599.
