Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Peter et al. (2010) developed chitosan-gelatin/bioactive glass nanoparticles composite scaffolds
for alveolar bone tissue engineering. Studies of mineralization had higher amounts of mineral
deposits in the nanocomposite scaffold. Cell viability assays with osteoblast lineage showed the
biocompatibility of the material, indicating that the material has the potential for alveolar bone
regeneration applications
[80]
.
Sowmya et al. (2011) synthesized and characterized
-chitin hydrogel/bioactive glass nanoparti-
cles nanocomposite scaffolds for periodontal regeneration. The porosity, swelling, degradation
'in vitro', biomineralization, toxicity, cell attachment, and cell proliferation were evaluated. The
nanocomposite scaffolds were found to be satisfactory in all aspects. Therefore, these nanocompo-
sites are promising candidates for the treatment of periodontal lesions
[90]
.
Another application of nanocomposites is the coating of dental implants. Current research
focuses on improving the mechanical performance and biocompatibility of Ti-based systems
through variations in alloy composition, microstructure, and surface treatment. A method that
allows changing the biological properties of Ti alloy is a modification of the chemical composition.
Surface modification methods such as chemical etching and coating by plasma spraying are often
used to improve the ability of osseointegration of titanium dental implants
[91,92]
.
Another method that may allow a change in biological properties of Ti alloy is the development
of a nanocomposite Ti/bioactive glass, which will combine the favorable mechanical properties of
titanium and the excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity of the glass
[64]
. Jurczyk et al. (2011)
synthesized and characterized nanocomposite Ti/45S5 Bioglass for use in dental implants
[93]
.
In summary, there are several points that favor the use of nanocomposites of bioactive glass in
dentistry, including best cellular response, biocompatibility, and bioactivity.
β
15.8
The future of bioactive glass nanoparticles in dentistry
Nanotechnology has as a principle the ambitious challenge to precisely control individual particles
in the nanometer range. Some of these results, relevant and of great impact on human life,
are already in use in modern dentistry, helping in the recovery of the smile of people in need of
oral rehabilitation.
The dental regenerative medicine results from the integration of several appropriate areas such
as cell biology, molecular genetics, and materials engineering. Recent advances in dental tissue
engineering, materials science, and cell culture suggest that in the near future the total regeneration
of the teeth will not be a utopian concept but can become a reality
[94,95]
.
The understanding of mechanisms involved in wound healing and tissue formation, together
with recent advances in materials science and stem cell research, are helping to find the ways that
lead to tissue regeneration. More and more evidence has shown that regeneration of affected dental
tissues is becoming possible, and this breakthrough can be developed for use in future clinical treat-
ments. Progress in research on regeneration in the dental field coincides with the advancement of
tissue engineering. This multidisciplinary field aims to regenerate tissues and organs that have been
injured or lost due to trauma, cancer resection, congenital deformities, or degenerative diseases.
The concept of tissue regeneration depends on the development of biomimetic materials, growth
factors, and sources of specific cells that can regenerate lost tissues. Therefore, it is an ideal that, in
