Ceramic Biomaterials in Dentistry: Review

Recent years have seen significant advancements in the field of materials science, accompanied by progress in analytical techniques and the discovery of new control devices and materials. These advancements have paved the way for the development of innovative approaches for raw material selection, with particular attention to creating advanced materials with specific physical and chemical properties tailored to meet desired criteria. This growing demand is particularly pronounced in environments with complex conditions, such as biological environments like the oral cavity. Consequently, there is a pressing need to identify and design materials that meet rigorous standards capable of withstanding such demanding environments. In the search for materials suitable for these applications, the need for advanced additives or biomaterials arises, which not only possess specific physicochemical attributes but also emulate biological materials, such as teeth, once integrated into biological systems. These biomaterials, spanning a wide range from metals, alloys, and polymers to glasses (bioglass), carbon fiber composites, and biological materials, interface with biological systems such as tissues and human fluids. However, it is essential to emphasize that biomaterials, while in contact with biological entities, differ from pharmaceutical materials. Therefore, they must exhibit biocompatibility, bioabsorbability, or inertness, depending on the intended applications. Unlike traditional inert materials, biomaterials are closely linked to the biological environment. Their surfaces can be customized to mimic organic structures they replace, ensuring optimal adhesion to tissues or skeletal structures. Moreover, they must not only interact harmoniously with organic molecules but also avoid eliciting toxic responses similar to those of xenobiotics. Therefore, interdisciplinary definitions such as biocompatibility, bioabsorbability, and toxicity, along with bioethical considerations, are indispensable for delineating the suitability of various materials in medical contexts.