Influence of some dental biomaterials on periodontal tissue
Dental biomaterials are designed to restore form and function of the dental tissue, to protect the remaining tissue and to create a bond between the dental surface and the restorative material. Due to their proximity to dental structures and oral mucosa, dental biomaterials must fulfil the requirements of biocompatibility and biological durability. The research in the field is focused on achieving these requirements by developing new highly performant biomaterials. But at present, composite materials still present some drawbacks like the polymerisation shrinkage associated to the curing process that leads to the adhesive interface breakdown and marginal microleakage. Composite materials may release substances into the oral environment during setting and later as a result of material degradation. Different side effects of composite materials and their components have been reported i.e. cytotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or genotoxic. Despite the developments in the field, at present no „ideal“ restorative biomaterial with similar characteristics with the natural teeth and completely biocompatible is available. However, the application of strict clinical protocols may improve the above mentioned shortcomings.