Synthetic dental applications

Biomaterials are synthetic and naturally occurring materials that are foreign to the body but are used to replace a diseased organ or tissue or augment or assist a partially functioning organ or tissue. Cardiovascular, orthopedic, and dental applications are some of the most common areas in which biomaterials are employed. 

Materials that are compatible with biomtneralized phosphates (see Section 7.2) may be useful for implants A variety of synthetic calcium phosphates have been investigated. Ca3(P04)2 can be used as a biodegradable bone implant, which is gradually replaced by autogenous bone, and less degradable apatite implants can attach to natural bone without inflammation. Bioinert zinc phosphate cements are used in prosthetic dental applications. 

Acrylic resins are the materials of choice for almost all dental applications wherever synthetic plastics are favored for the restoration of missing teeth or tooth structures. This is not surprising because polymers derived from methacrylate esters fulfill most requisites of a restorative adequate strength, resilience and abrasion resistance dimensional stability during processing and subsequent use translucency or transparency simulating the visual appearance of the oral tissue that it replaces satisfactory color stability after fabrication resistance to oral fluids, food or other substances with which it may come Into contact satisfactory tissue tolerance low toxicity, and ease of fabrication into a dental appliance. 

Synthetic prosthesis, transplant surgery, and dental applications [49-54]. 

Natural bone is made of 60% of inorganic calcium phosphate minerals. " To this end, many researchers have developed synthetic bone substitutes based upon ceramics to better mimic the natural composition of bone. Ceramics have been widely used for orthopedic and dental applications, and have been used... 

Knowledge of the surface structure of CaHAP panicles is fundamentally needed not only in medical and dental sciences but also in application of synthetic CaHAP particles to bioceramics and adsorbents for biomaterials, because the affinity of CaHAP surface to biomaterials is an important factor in all the cases. The surface structure of CaHAP was investigated by various means including infrared (IR) (38,39), NMR (40). TPD (41), and XPS (42). Among these methods, IR spectroscopy is most appropriate for the surface characterization of CaHAP particles. 

Natural mbber latex is also used in adhesives for tape, packaging, envelopes, and in the footwear industry. It is used in the carpet industry as a binder for backing compounds, but this is another area in which synthetic SBR latex has competed effectively. There are a number of relatively small and specialized applications for natural mbber latex including rubberized coir or hair and cast products such as toys. Latex sheeting which is used in dental dams and for numerous other purposes can be made by dipping or casting onto a continuous belt. 

MAJOR PRODUCT APPLICATIONS exterior paints, coatings, synthetic plastering compounds, thermoplastic road marking compounds, adhesives, sealants, plastics, abrasives, cables, stucco, kitchen sinks and laminates, dental, mihtary, electronics... 

The application of polymeric materials in medicine is a fairly specialized area with a wide range of specific applications and requirements. Although the total volume of polymers used in this application may be small compared to the annual production of polyethylene, for example, the total amount of money spent annually on prosthetic and biomedical devices exceeds 16 billion in the United States alone. These applications include over a million dentures, nearly a half billion dental fillings, about six million contact lenses, over a million replacement joints (hip, knee, finger, etc.), about a half million plastic surgery operations (breast prosthesis, facial reconstruction, etc.), over 25,000 heart valves, and 60,000 pacemaker implantations. In addition, over AO,000 patients are on hemodialysis units (artificial kidney) on a regular basis, and over 90,000 coronary bypass operations (often using synthetic polymers) are performed each year (]J. 

Precipitated calcium carbonates CaCOj (chalk) are additives used in numerous applications. They are one of the most commonly used dental abrasives for toothpaste formulations. They are synthetic products from the decomposition and resynthesis of lime after purification. 

Medical and dental materials are in the class of materials called biomaterials. Biomateiiab are used in the body to replace body components or assist in retaining or restoring body functions. Biomaterials include synthetic materials, modified natural materials, biosynthetic materials, systems engineered materials, and morphological protein molecules that can send signals of direction to cells [7]. Synthetic biomaterials may be metallic, ceramic, polymeric, or a combination of these as needed to meet the needs of intended application. 

Bioceramics. Ceramics used in biomedical applications. The chief applications are as dental ceramics (q.v.) and prostheses (q.v.). Alumina and synthetic apatite or hydroxyapatite are the most frequently used for prostheses, which must be compatible with body fluids. 

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