title: Degradable polymers may improve dental practice.
abstract: The use of biomaterials in dentistry is more widespread than in any other medical field in terms of both amount and variety. Most of them were not originally designed for dental applications but for other medical applications or, sometimes, for no medical purposes. Among these materials, biodegradable materials play an important role, especially in bone regeneration and in periodontal surgery. This paper briefly reviews some degradable polymers developed as tools for the treatment of periodontal and bone diseases. We discuss materials previously applied in other industrials contexts, such as polyesters, methylcellulose, and chitosan and we provide perspectives for their use in periodontal regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara - Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battistella
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varoni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cochis
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rimondini
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials