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.