Nanocomposites for biomedical and dental applications

During the last decade, there has been a major increase in the interest of nanostructured materials in advanced technologies such as biomedical and dental technology. Nanostructured materials are associated with a variety of uses within the bio-medical field, for example, nanoparticles in drug-delivery system, in biomaterial science and diagnostic systems and in regenerative medicine. By definition, a biomaterial is a nondrug substance that is ideal for inclusion in systems that replace or extend the function of bodily tissues or organs. The key factors in the clinical success of any biomaterial are its biocompatibility and biofunctionality, both of which are related directly to tissue/implant interface interactions. Nanocomposites can be described as a heterogeneous combination of two or more materials, in which at least one of those materials should be on a nanometer-scale. By using the composite approach, it is possible to manipulate the mechanical properties such as strength and modulus of the composites closer to those of natural bone, with the help of secondary substitution phases. Currently, the most common composite materials used for clinical applications are those selected from a handful of available and well-characterized biocompatible ceramics and the combination with metals and polymers as composites and hybrids. This approach is currently being explored in the development of a new generation of nanocomposites with a widened range of biomedical and dental applications. The aim of this chapter is to provide information relating to the use of nanocomposites for biomedical and dental applications. An overview on the basis of biomaterials will be followed by some of past and present research into the use of nanocomposites in biomedical and dental applications.