Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the future, tissue engineering can provide a variety of products such as stem cells, smart scaffolds,
and growth factors for clinical therapies in dentistry.
In this context, new and different conceptions of nanostructured materials have been developed
for use in the dental field. An interesting alternative for use in tissue engineering is the develop-
ment of injectable systems containing bioactive glass nanoparticles. Smart materials that respond to
specific stimuli have been extensively described in literature. In particular, the hydrogel polymer
systems have many advantages: (i) They have adequate permeability for the transport of cell nutri-
ents and metabolites, (ii) they exhibit biocompatibility and biodegradability, and (iii) some formula-
tions are thermoresponsive. These bioactive gelling systems can be used as injectable materials for
small bone defects, and may also be combined with three-dimensional scaffolds to enhance
mechanical properties (
Figure 15.10
).
Couto et al. (2009) developed and characterized an injectable system containing bioactive glass
nanoparticles
[96]
. This system could be used, for example, in periodontal bone lesions where cells
and cellular factors could be injected directly into the periodontal tissue.
Another approach for the bioactive glass nanoparticles is their use in systems for drug delivery.
Bioactive glasses have ideal characteristics for these systems; they can carry an active dose of
drug molecules to target sites without any leak and premature negative effect on other areas.
Generally, high specific surface area and high porosity are prerequisites for drug delivery systems.
Cell expansion
Cell isolation
Fibroblast
Injectable system
contains bioactive
glass nanoparticles
Cementoblast
Osteoblast
FIGURE 15.10
Schematic representation of injectable system. The figure shows cells removed from the periodontal tissue,
expanded and injected into the injured tissue.
