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Biomaterials

Biomaterials are natural or synthetic materials used to replace or augment human tissues in medical procedures, including plastic and reconstructive surgery. They must be biocompatible, durable, and able to integrate with the body. Common biomaterials include silicone, collagen, and various polymers, used in implants, prostheses, and tissue engineering. Advances in biomaterials have enabled safer and more effective reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.

Uses in Plastic Surgery

  • Breast implants (silicone, saline)
  • Gluteal implants (silicone) and injectable fillers (e.g., Sculptra, hyaluronic acid) for gluteoplasty
  • Facial implants (chin, cheek, jaw)
  • Skin substitutes for burns or wounds
  • Sutures and meshes

Medical Applications Beyond Plastic Surgery

Biomaterials have diverse applications across various medical fields:

  • Orthopedics: Used in joint replacements (e.g., hip/knee implants made of metal alloys like CoCr and Ti6Al4V, ceramics such as alumina or zirconia, and polymers including UHMWPE) orthopedics; spinal fusion devices; bone scaffolds for fracture repair.
  • Dentistry: Dental implants (typically titanium), filling materials (composites like glass ionomer or composite resins), biocompatible cements, and wound dressings. See dentistry.
  • Ophthalmology: Intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract surgery (polymethyl methacrylate or silicone hydrogel); corneal implants; surgical glues.
  • Other fields include cardiovascular (stents, grafts), wound care (advanced dressings), and drug delivery systems.

Considerations

  • Biocompatibility and risk of rejection
  • Long-term durability
  • Regulatory approval and safety
  • Innovations in biomaterials have improved safety and outcomes for both surgical implants and injectable fillers, but risks remain (e.g., migration, allergic reaction, implant rupture). See plastic_surgery and body_modification.

Characterization Approaches

Achieving necessary properties involves specific engineering strategies:

  • Biocompatibility: Can be ensured through material selection (e.g., using biopolymers like collagen or hyaluronic acid which are naturally occurring in the body), surface modification techniques (e.g., plasma treatment, coating with proteins or other bioactive molecules to promote tissue integration and minimize immune response), or careful formulation design biocompatibility.
  • Integration: Collagen-based materials provide inherent biological cues for cell adhesion and proliferation. Synthetic polymers can be engineered (e.g., porous structures, specific degradation rates) to mimic the natural environment and allow tissue ingrowth.
  • Durability: Depends on material composition; rigid implants like those made from metals or certain ceramics offer high structural integrity over time. Flexible materials such as silicone rely on cross-linking density for longevity.

Related Topics

This article incorporates material from Biomaterials - Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.