A Critical Review of Dental Biomaterials With an Emphasis on Biocompatibility

Jul 11, 2026

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A review of advances in dental biomaterials for restorative dentistry and tissue regeneration over the past three years, with a focus on biocompatibility. It summarizes key biomaterials and emerging modification strategies aimed at improving biointegration, biological activity, mechanical performance, and resistance to the hostile oral environment. The review analyzes biomaterial–tissue interactions in terms of adhesion, stress and strain, restoration durability, infection prevention, corrosion inhibition, and the consequences of degradation in body fluids.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

Abstract

Dental biomaterials in restorative dentistry and tissue regeneration

Biomaterial–tissue interactions and oral-environment challenges

Strategies to improve mechanics and aesthetics

Research gaps and the role of computational assessment

Introduction

Biocompatibility screening and regulatory context

A critical review of dental biomaterials with an emphasis on biocompatibility Marta Joanna Woźniak-Budych1,A–F, Maciej Staszak2,A–F, Katarzyna Staszak2,A–F 1 NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland 2 Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Poland A – research concept and design; B – collection and/or assembly of data; C – data analysis and interpretation; D –writing the article; E – critical revision of the article; F –final approval of the article Dental and Medical Problems, ISSN 1644-387X (print), ISSN 2300-9020 (online) Dent Med Probl. 2023;60(4):709–739 Address for correspondence Marta Joanna Woźniak-Budych [E-mail: marta.budych@amu.edu.pl](E-mail: marta.budych@amu.edu.pl) Funding sources The research was funded by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science (grants 0912/SBAD/2310 and 0912/SBAD/2307) . Conflict of interest None declared Acknowledgements None declared Received on August 11, 2023 Reviewed on September 15, 2023 Accepted on September 21, 2023 Published online on December 15, 2023 Abstract This paper presents the major achievements in the field of biomaterials in restorative dentistry and tissue regeneration reported over the past 3 years. The review aims to summarize the knowledge on important biomaterials and the emerging modification strategies to improve their biointegration, biological activity, mechanical properties, and resistance to the harsh oral environment. We also discuss the main opportunities and challenges associated with the use of biomaterials in dentistry. Much contemporary research focuses on the interactions between biomaterials and the surrounding tissues in the oral environment regarding adhesion, associated stresses and strains, and the durability of dental restoration materials. Dental biomaterials should support cell adhesion and activity, leading to dental tissue regeneration, and are also expected to effectively prevent bacterial infections and inhibit material corrosion in saliva. The degradation, dissolution or corrosion of restorative materials due to exposure to body fluids can alter the structure and mechanical properties of the material, causing various adverse effects. Another aspect addressed in recent literature is the improvement of the mechanical properties and esthetics of restorative materials. The surfaces of biomaterials are usually modified with polymers or nanomaterials to reduce friction while maintaining biocompatibility. Although all modern biomaterials are promising, there is an urgent need for more in vivo and clinical studies to investigate their biological advantages and disadvantages in detail. The computational techniques used to assess the properties of modern dental materials, particularly the mechanical ones, could assist in the development of the materials. Such an approach can help bring new biomaterials to the market by reducing complicated, tedious and expensive experimentation. Keywords: biomaterials, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontology Cite as Woźniak-Budych MJ, Staszak M, Staszak K. A critical review of dental biomaterials with an emphasis on biocompatibility. Dent Med Probl. 2023;60(4):709–739 . doi:10.17219/dmp/172732 DOI 10.17219/dmp/172732 Copyright Copyright by Author(s) This is an article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)). Introduction Only a few commercially available dental biomaterials have passed all biocompatibility screening assays, thus confirming their low toxicity and patient health protection.1,2 Most dental materials have been approved based on the grandfathering process, which allows for sale without prior toxicity tests if a biomaterial is characterized by a similar chemical co

FAQs

What main goals does the review set for dental biomaterials?

It summarizes knowledge on important biomaterials and modification strategies to enhance biointegration, biological activity, mechanical properties, and resistance to the oral environment while addressing key opportunities and challenges in dentistry.

How do oral-environment interactions affect dental restoration materials?

Dental biomaterials must support cell adhesion and activity for tissue regeneration and help prevent bacterial infections and inhibit corrosion in saliva. Exposure to body fluids can cause degradation, dissolution, or corrosion that changes structure and mechanical properties and leads to adverse effects.

Why are further in vivo and clinical studies emphasized?

Despite promising modern biomaterials, the review stresses an urgent need for more in vivo and clinical evidence to clarify biological advantages and disadvantages in detail, and notes that computational techniques may help guide material development while reducing expensive experimentation.

Jul 11, 2026

Upload by Logic