2. Biomedical Materials in Dentistry

Any progress in the science and technology of dental biomedical materials has been widely influential in dentistry. The main goal of this field is manufacturing of biocompatible materials to replace the lost tissues or to restore disturbed functions of the orofacial region. Although dental biomaterials have had a huge impact on the quality of life of patients, the development of new materials to improve dental treatments is limited. The more enhanced progress in this field to obtain superior function from external materials requires a better understanding of oral tissues, the materials already in used for dental application, as well as the interactions of these materials with the tissues. This chapter reviews main four groups of biomaterials used in dentistry, including (1) metallic biomedicals, such as titanium, dental amalgam, and alloys for metallic restorations; (2) polymeric and hydrogel biomaterials, such as bonding and luting agents, prosthetic polymers and resins, endodontic obturation materials, periodontal dressings, and sutures; (3) ceramic biomaterials, such as hydroxyapatite, bioactive glasses, endodontic filling materials, and zirconia; and (4) composite biomaterials, such as resin-based composites, GIOMERS, and bone augmentation materials.