Biomaterials for Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Applications: (volume-17)

Biomaterials for Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Applications (Frontiers of Oral Biology, Vol. 17)

“Biomaterials for Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Applications” is an authoritative, peer-reviewed interdisciplinary volume edited by Sanjukta Deb, published in 2015 by S. Karger AG as Volume 17 in the Frontiers of Oral Biology series.

The book brings together contemporary advances in biomaterials science with clinical practice in dentistry and craniomaxillofacial surgery. Its central aim is to integrate materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical applications to address the complex challenges encountered in the repair, regeneration, and replacement of oral and facial tissues.

Context and Significance

Diseases such as dental decay, periodontitis, trauma, congenital anomalies, and tumour resections affect large segments of the global population. These conditions often lead to loss or damage of hard and soft tissues in oral and facial regions. Traditional surgical and prosthetic approaches are increasingly complemented or replaced by biomaterial-based regenerative strategies that can support, integrate, and stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms.

The book’s interdisciplinary nature reflects the complex requirements of oral and craniofacial reconstruction, where biomaterials must satisfy biological compatibility, mechanical resilience, and long-term stability while fostering tissue regeneration. It is intended for researchers, clinicians, materials scientists, and bioengineers who aim to translate cutting-edge developments into clinical practice.

Scope and Structure

Spanning 118 pages, the volume covers a diverse range of topics grouped into thematic sections. Each chapter focuses on distinct material types, technologies, or biological responses relevant to oral and maxillofacial applications.

1. Biomaterials in Relation to Dentistry

The opening chapter provides an overview of biomaterials broadly applied in dental practice. It discusses how dental tissues interact with synthetic materials and the criteria for successful integration into the oral environment.

2. Polymer Therapeutics

Polymers play a crucial role in dental and maxillofacial applications due to their versatility, tunable properties, and relative ease of processing. This section outlines how polymer therapeutics are designed to deliver controlled drug release, support tissue regeneration, and enhance cellular responses, particularly for soft tissue applications.

3. Bioactive Glasses and Their Biological Impact

Bioactive glasses are inorganic materials capable of bonding to bone and soft tissue. Their dissolution products can stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation, making them ideal for bone repair and periodontal regeneration. This chapter explores how composition and structure influence biological activity.

4. Organic–Inorganic Composites

Hybrid biomaterials combine the mechanical strength of inorganic components with the flexibility and biocompatibility of organic phases. These composites aim for superior performance in areas like dental restorations, bone grafts, and implant-to-tissue interfaces.

5. Advanced Materials at the Resin–Dentine Interface

The clinical performance of restorative materials depends heavily on their interaction with natural dentine. New high-performance materials improve bonding, reduce microleakage, and enhance durability. This section analyzes innovations that address these persistent challenges.

6. Nanobiomaterial Coatings in Dentistry

Nanotechnology has opened new avenues for improving biomaterial performance. Nanobiomaterial coatings can enhance antimicrobial properties, cell adhesion, and bioactivity. The chapter on nanocoatings reviews recent research on their fabrication and clinical relevance.

7. Titanium Surface Modifications

Titanium and its alloys remain the gold standard for dental and craniofacial implants due to their strength and biocompatibility. However, modifying titanium surfaces at micro- and nano-scales can significantly improve osseointegration—the direct structural and functional connection between bone and implant.

8. Nanobiomaterials and Gene Expression

Understanding the cellular response to nanomaterials involves more than surface chemistry and mechanics. Gene expression analyses reveal how cells interact with biomaterial surfaces at the molecular level, informing more biologically tuned designs.

9. Membranes for Periodontal Regeneration

For periodontal and bone regenerative procedures, biomaterial membranes act as barriers that guide tissue growth. This chapter reviews materials designed to balance biodegradability, mechanical strength, and biological activity.

10. Biomaterials in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

The final substantive chapter focuses on biomaterials used for reconstructive procedures following trauma, tumour excision, or congenital deformities. This includes grafts, scaffolds, and composite materials tailored to restore both form and function.

Key Themes and Trends

Across the chapters, several central themes emerge:

• Integration of materials science and biology to produce biomaterials that not only replace lost tissues but actively participate in healing.

• Nanotechnology and surface engineering as transformative tools for enhancing biomaterial performance.

• Clinical translation, ensuring that laboratory innovations can be safely and effectively applied in dental and surgical settings.

Who Will Benefit

This volume is particularly valuable for:

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons seeking material-driven regenerative strategies.

• Dentists and dental researchers engaged in restorative and implantology research.

• Biomaterials scientists interested in translational applications.

• Bioengineers developing next-generation medical devices and scaffolds.