Bioactive materials in endodontics

Expert Rev Med Devices. 2008 Jul;5(4):475-94. doi: 10.1586/17434440.5.4.475.

Abstract

Endodontic treatment in dentistry is a delicate procedure and many treatment attempts fail. Despite constant development of new root canal filling techniques, the clinician is confronted with both a complex root canal system and the use of filling materials that are harmful for periapical tissues. This paper evaluates reported studies on biomaterials used in endodontics, including calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium phosphate ceramics and calcium phosphate cements. Special emphasis is made on promising new biomaterials, such as injectable bone substitute and injectable calcium phosphate cements. These materials, which combine biocompatibility, bioactivity and rheological properties, could be good alternatives in endodontics as root canal fillers. They could also be used as drug-delivery vehicles (e.g., for antibiotics and growth factors) or as scaffolds in pulp tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials*
  • Bone Cements / therapeutic use
  • Bone Substitutes / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Hydroxide / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Phosphates / therapeutic use
  • Ceramics / therapeutic use
  • Drug Carriers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Oxides / therapeutic use
  • Root Canal Filling Materials / adverse effects
  • Root Canal Filling Materials / therapeutic use*
  • Root Canal Therapy / methods*
  • Silicates / therapeutic use
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tooth Diseases / pathology
  • Tooth Diseases / therapy*

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Bone Cements
  • Bone Substitutes
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Drug Carriers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Oxides
  • Root Canal Filling Materials
  • Silicates
  • mineral trioxide aggregate
  • Calcium Hydroxide