| Popis: |
Dentistry is a field where biopolymers can be applied in different treatments. Due to the specific conditions of the oral environment, dental biomaterials are required to deal with innumerous adversities, like mechanical stresses, high humidity and acidic pH, food residues, and microbial contamination. Biopolymeric films and membranes are efficient alternatives employed mainly in endodontic treatments, periodontics, and bone and dental regeneration. In this chapter, a systematic review is performed of the available literature, focusing on the trends and the most innovative strategies to obtain functional membranes and films by different techniques. The natural and synthetic biopolymers used in their production—collagen, chitosan, gelatin, cellulose, and others—including some blends and composites are listed as examples of dental applications. Also, drug delivery systems are explored because of their importance to the administration of medicines with antibiotic, antiinflammatory, and anesthetic activity. |
