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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2024) | Viewed by 19190

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Prof. Dr. Rogério Leone Buchaim

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Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry (FOB/USP), University of Sao Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, Brazil
Interests: tissue regeneration; photodynamic therapy; silk fibrin; biopolymer; polymeric scaffold
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Prof. Dr. João Paulo Mardegan Issa

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Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (FORP/USP), Ribeirao Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Interests: bone repair; scaffold; polymer; protein; criminology
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Prof. Dr. Edilson Ervolino

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Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua José Bonifácio 1193, Vila Mendonça, Araçatuba 16015-050, SP, Brazil
Interests: histology; bone; osteonecrosis jaw; laser
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, one of the biggest challenges in the medical and dental field is the morphological and functional recomposition of injured tissues. According to the characteristics of the lesion, reconstruction does not occur by itself. Therefore, scientific research, mainly carried out in universities, deals with this challenge along with the industry, aiming to improve patient health. The research takes place in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary manner, with significant participation from several areas of dentistry and medicine, as well as chemistry, materials science, and engineering, among others. The production of polymers for use in tissue engineering must integrate the basic sciences, such as anatomy, histology, and physiology, with the study areas of various pathologies and clinical areas, in a translational way, from the bench to bed. Therefore, this Special Issue is dedicated to facing and breaking down scientific barriers through the sharing of information through scientific articles that promote the dissemination of information regarding polymeric materials of any origin, natural or synthetic, from their development and production to clinical applicability.

This Special Issue is dedicated to reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical and pre-clinical studies regarding the different uses of polymers in medicine and dentistry.

Prof. Dr. Rogério Leone Buchaim
Prof. Dr. João Paulo Mardegan Issa
Prof. Dr. Edilson Ervolino
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

polymers
dentistry
medicine
scaffolds
regenerative medicine
biomaterials
biopolymers
3D bioprinting
translational science
tissue regeneration
drug delivery system

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Characterization of Electrodes Coated with Plasma-Synthesized Polypyrrole Doped with Iodine, Implanted in the Rat Brain Subthalamic Nucleus

by Daniel Ruiz-Diaz, Joaquín Manjarrez-Marmolejo, Araceli Diaz-Ruiz, Camilo Ríos, María G. Olayo, Roberto Olayo, Guillermo J. Cruz, Hermelinda Salgado-Ceballos, Marisela Mendez-Aramenta and Juan Morales-Corona

Polymers 2024, 16(6), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16060823 - 15 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1218

Abstract

Biological treatments involve the application of metallic material coatings to enhance biocompatibility and properties. In invasive therapies, metallic electrodes are utilized, which are implanted in patients. One of these invasive therapeutic procedures is deep brain stimulation (DBS), an effective therapy for addressing the motor disorders observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This therapy involves the implantation of electrodes (IEs) into the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, there is still a need for the optimization of these electrodes. Plasma-synthesized polypyrrole doped with iodine (PPPy/I) has been reported as a biocompatible and anti-inflammatory biomaterial that promotes nervous system regeneration. Given this information, the objective of the present study was to develop and characterize a PPPy/I-coated electrode for implantation into the STN. The characterization results indicate a uniform coating along the electrode, and physical–chemical characterization studies were conducted on the polymer. Subsequently, the IEs, both coated and uncoated with PPPy/I, were implanted into the STN of male rats of the Wistar strain to conduct an electrographic recording (EG-R) study. The results demonstrate that the IE coated with PPPy/I exhibited superior power and frequency signals over time compared to the uncoated IE (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we conclude that an IE coated with PPPy/I has optimized functional performance, with enhanced integrity and superior signal quality compared to an uncoated IE. Therefore, we consider this a promising technological development that could significantly improve functional outcomes for patients undergoing invasive brain therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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13 pages, 4226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of Failure Loads for Polycrystalline Zirconia Ceramics with Varying Amounts of Yttria, Glass-Ceramics and Polymers in Two Different Test Conditions

by Tariq F. Alghazzawi

Polymers 2023, 15(23), 4506; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15234506 - 23 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1174

Abstract

It is unclear how zirconia dental crowns with different yttria compositions will perform clinically, and how they will compare with crowns made of glass-ceramics and polymers. The present objective was to determine failure loads of crowns and discs made of glass ceramics or polymers as compared to yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) crowns and discs with varying yttria concentrations. Crowns of zirconia (Cercon XT, Katana UTML, BruxZir Anterior), glass ceramic (Celtra press, IPS e.max press, Lisi press), and polymeric materials (Trilor, Juvora, Pekkton) were fabricated and cemented to epoxy abutments. The total number of specimens was 135 for crowns and 135 for discs (n = 15 specimens per material type and design). A universal testing machine was used to perform compressive loading of crowns/discs to failure with a steel piston along the longitudinal axis of the abutments. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to identify the yttria concentration for each zirconia brand. The data were analyzed using generalized linear models and regression analyses. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean failure loads for different crown materials: Trilor (6811 ± 960 N) > Juvora (5215 ± 151 N) > Cercon (4260 ± 520 N) = BruxZir (4186 ± 269 N) = e.max (3981 ± 384 N) > Katana (3195 ± 350 N) = Lisi (3173 ± 234 N) = Pekkton (3105 ± 398 N) > Celtra (2696 ± 393 N). The general linear model revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean failure loads when comparing the different materials for the discs, i.e., Trilor (5456 ± 1748 N) > Juvora (4274 ± 869 N) > Pekkton (3771 ± 294 N) > Katana (2859 ± 527 N) > Cercon (2319 ± 342 N) = BuxZir (2250 ± 515 N) = e.max (2303 ± 721 N) = Lisi (2333 ± 535 N) > Celtra (1965 ± 659 N). EDS showed that the zirconia materials contained yttria at different concentrations (BruxZir = 5Y-PSZ, Cercon = 4Y-PSZ, Katana = 3Y-PSZ). The yttria concentration had a significant effect on the failure load of the Katana (3Y-PSZ) crowns, which revealed lower failure loads than the Cercon (4Y-PSZ) and BruxZir (5Y-PSZ) crowns, whose failure loads were comparable or higher than e.max glass ceramic. The failure load of the trilayer disc specimens did not correlate with the failure load of the respective crown specimens for the zirconia, glass-ceramic and polymeric materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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13 pages, 5808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relation of Crown Failure Load to Flexural Strength for Three Contemporary Dental Polymers

by Tariq F. Alghazzawi

Polymers 2023, 15(21), 4312; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15214312 - 3 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Polymeric materials show great promise for use in a variety of dental applications. Manufacturers generally provide flexural strength information based on standardized (ISO and ASTM) specimen dimensions and loading conditions. It is not clear, however, if flexural strength data are predictive of the clinical performance of dental crowns. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to determine whether flexural strengths, as measured via three-point bending (3PB), would be predictive of failure loads assessed via crunch-the-crown (CTC) tests. Three brands of polymers (Trilor, Juvora, and Pekkton) were fabricated into rectangular bars and fully contoured crowns (10 specimens of each polymer brand, 30 specimens of each shape). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and burn off tests were used to characterize/confirm the materials. Bars were tested blindly in 3PB to determine flexural strength, and crowns were CTC-tested to determine failure load after luting to resin abutments. The statistical significance of the test results was evaluated via one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, while regression analysis was used to test for a correlation between 3PB and CTC results. The fracture mechanisms and failure surface characteristics were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean crown failure loads (Trilor (7033 N) > Juvora (5217 N) > Pekkton (3023 N)) and mean flexural strengths of the bars (Trilor (468 MPa) > Juvora (197 MPa) = Pekkton (192 MPa)). The mode of crown fracture was different between the materials and included deformation (Juvora), ductile-to-brittle fracture (Pekkton), and a combination of cracks and deformation (Trilor). Flexural strengths did not correlate with the corresponding crown failure loads for any of the materials tested. These results suggest that dental practitioners should not rely on the flexural strengths reported from three-point bending tests, as advertised by the manufacturer, to predict the performance of polymeric crowns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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12 pages, 3733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fracture Resistance Comparative Analysis of Milled-Derived vs. 3D-Printed CAD/CAM Materials for Single-Unit Restorations

by Cristian Abad-Coronel, Manuel Bravo, Salomé Tello, Emilia Cornejo, Yirelly Paredes, Cesar A. Paltan and Jorge I. Fajardo

Polymers 2023, 15(18), 3773; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15183773 - 15 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1980

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of a single-unit fixed prosthesis, using a CAD/CAM PMMA material and two printed materials (3DPPa and 3DPPb). A typodont with a specific preparation for a full crown was used; a digital impression was made with a state-of-the-art scanner (PrimeScan^TM, Dentsply-Sirona^TM, New York, NY, USA), and a full coverage restoration was designed using a biogeneric design proposal by means of specific software (InLAB 22.1, Dentsply-Sirona, NY, USA). Sixty crowns were prepared, divided into three groups according to the material: 3DPPa (n = 20), 3DPPb (n = 20), both 3D-printed from the .STL file with a resolution of 50 μm, and PMMA (n = 20) milled-derived, which were subjected to a thermocycling process. A universal testing machine (Universal/Tensile Testing Machine, Autograph AGS-X Series) with integrated software (TRAPEZIUM LITE X) equipped with a 20 kN load cell was used to determine the fracture resistance. Significant differences were found by Kruskal–Wallis test and multiple comparisons (p < 0.05) in fracture resistance between materials. The fracture resistance for the PMMA material was higher, and the standard deviation was lower (x = 1427.9; sd = 36.9 N) compared to the 3DPPa (x = 1231; sd = 380.1 N) and 3DPPb (x = 1029.9; sd = 166.46 N) prints. The restorations from the milled-derived group showed higher average fracture resistance than the provisional restorations obtained from the printed groups. However, the results demonstrated that all three materials analyzed in single-unit restorations are capable of withstanding the average masticatory forces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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15 pages, 12714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Adding Silver-Doped Carbon Nanotube Fillers to Heat-Cured Acrylic Denture Base on Impact Strength, Microhardness, and Antimicrobial Activity: A Preliminary Study

by Abdulaziz Alhotan, Rasha M. Abdelraouf, Sabry A. El-Korashy, Nawaf Labban, Hanan Alotaibi, Jukka P. Matinlinna and Tamer M. Hamdy

Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2976; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15132976 - 7 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1706

Abstract

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), is an acrylic polymer substance that is mostly used for denture base applications. The purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate the effect of adding 0.05 wt.% Ag-doped carbon nanotubes (CNT) to PMMA-based (PMMA and MMA) denture base material on the impact strength, microhardness, and antimicrobial activity. A total of 60 heat-cured acrylic resin specimens were prepared. The specimens were randomly divided into two main groups (n = 30/group), according to the powder used: (a) control group, using heat-cured PMMA; (b) treatment group, using a powder prepared by blending 0.05 wt.% silver-doped CNT nanoparticles with heat-cured PMMA. The impact strength, microhardness and anticandidal activity for each group were assessed via the Charpy, Vickers and agar diffusion tests, respectively (n = 10/test for each subgroup). Data were analyzed using independent-sample t-tests (p ≤ 0.05). The results of the impact strength test revealed that the treated heat-cured PMMA-MMA with Ag-doped CNT (2.2 kJ/mm²) was significantly higher than that of the control heat-cured PMMA (1.6 kJ/mm²). Similarly, the Vickers microhardness of the treatment group (52.7 VHN) was significantly higher than that of the control group (19.4 VHN). Regarding the agar diffusion test, after 24 h of incubation, the treated heat-cured PMMA with the Ag-doped CNT exhibited significantly higher anticandidal activity than that of the control group. Therefore, Ag-doped carbon nanotubes could be considered as promising fillers for the dental heat-cured acrylic resin to improve the resistance of the resultant denture against sudden fractures, scratching, and candida invasion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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16 pages, 3902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interpenetrating Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Hyaluronic Acid-Based In Situ Hydrogel Scaffold for Periodontal and Oral Wound Applications

by Porniweat Rosaming, Jirakit Jirayupapong, Sirikool Thamnium, Yu Yu Win, Vudhiporn Limprasutr, Ratchanee Rodsiri, Prasit Pavasant and Jittima A. Luckanagul

Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4986; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224986 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3107

Abstract

Tissues engineering has gained a lot of interest, since this approach has potential to restore lost tooth-supporting structures, which is one of the biggest challenges for periodontal treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop an in situ hydrogel that could conceivably support and promote the regeneration of lost periodontal tissues. The hydrogel was fabricated from methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA). Fragment/short-chain hyaluronic acid (sHA) was incorporated in this hydrogel to encourage the bio-synergistic effects of two different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. The physical properties of the hydrogel system, including gelation time, mechanical profile, swelling and degrading behavior, etc., were tested to assess the effect of incorporated sHA. Additionally, the biological properties of the hydrogels were performed in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results revealed that sHA slightly interfered with some behaviors of networking systems; however, the overall properties were not significantly changed compared to the base MeHA hydrogel. In addition, all hydrogel formulations were found to be compatible with oral tissues in both in vitro and in vivo models. Therefore, this HA-based hydrogel could be a promising delivery system for low molecular weight macromolecules. Further, this approach could be translated into the clinical applications for dental tissue regeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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17 pages, 4009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Characterization and Structural Analysis of Latex-Containing and Latex-Free Intermaxillary Orthodontic Elastics

by Zsuzsanna Gurdán, Kinga Turzó, Laura Lőrinc, Péter Szabó, Kristóf Karádi, András Lukács, Roland Told, Kinga Kardos and Péter Maróti

Polymers 2022, 14(21), 4488; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214488 - 23 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2450

Abstract

Class II malocclusion is one of the most common dental anomalies and the use of intermaxillary elastomers is the standard method in its treatment. However, orthodontic elastics cannot exert continuous force over a period of time due to force degradation. Our goal was to mechanically characterize the different types of elastomers during static and cyclic loads, based on uniform methodology and examine the morphological changes after loading. Ten types of latex-containing and four latex-free intermaxillary elastics were examined from six different manufacturers. To determine the mechanical characteristics of the elastomers, tensile tests, cyclical tensile fatigue tests and 24 h relaxation tests were performed, and the elastics were also subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Regardless of the manufacturer, the latex-containing elastomers did not show significant differences in the percentage of elongation at break during the tensile test. Only one type of latex-containing elastomer did not tear during the 24 h cyclical fatigue test. Fatigue was confirmed by electron microscopy images, and the pulling force reduced significantly. During the force relaxation test, only one latex-free ligature was torn; the force degradation was between 7.8% and 20.3% for latex ligatures and between 29.6% and 40.1% for latex-free elastomers. The results showed that dynamic loading was more damaging to ligatures than static loading, latex-containing elastomers were more resistant than latex-free elastics, and which observation could have clinical consequences or a potential effect on patient outcome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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Review

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24 pages, 2807 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Fibrin Associated with Photobiomodulation as a Promising Strategy to Improve Regeneration in Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review

by Carlos Henrique Bertoni Reis, Daniela Vieira Buchaim, Adriana de Cássia Ortiz, Simone Ortiz Moura Fideles, Jefferson Aparecido Dias, Maria Angelica Miglino, Daniel de Bortoli Teixeira, Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, Marcelo Rodrigues da Cunha and Rogerio Leone Buchaim

Polymers 2022, 14(15), 3150; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14153150 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4302

Abstract

Fibrin, derived from proteins involved in blood clotting (fibrinogen and thrombin), is a biopolymer with different applications in the health area since it has hemostasis, biocompatible and three-dimensional physical structure properties, and can be used as scaffolds in tissue regeneration or drug delivery system for cells and/or growth factors. Fibrin alone or together with other biomaterials, has been indicated for use as a biological support to promote the regeneration of stem cells, bone, peripheral nerves, and other injured tissues. In its diversity of forms of application and constitution, there are platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), fibrin glue or fibrin sealant, and hydrogels. In order to increase fibrin properties, adjuvant therapies can be combined to favor tissue repair, such as photobiomodulation (PBM), by low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or LEDs (Light Emitting Diode). Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the relationship between PBM and the use of fibrin compounds, referring to the results of previous studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The descriptors “fibrin AND low-level laser therapy” and “fibrin AND photobiomodulation” were used, without restriction on publication time. The bibliographic search found 44 articles in PubMed/MEDLINE, of which 26 were excluded due to duplicity or being outside the eligibility criteria. We also found 40 articles in Web of Science and selected 1 article, 152 articles in Scopus and no article selected, totaling 19 articles for qualitative analysis. The fibrin type most used in combination with PBM was fibrin sealant, mainly heterologous, followed by PRF or L-PRF. In PBM, the gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser prevailed, with a wavelength of 830 nm, followed by 810 nm. Among the preclinical studies, the most researched association of fibrin and PBM was the use of fibrin sealants in bone or nerve injuries; in clinical studies, the association of PBM with medication-related treatments osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Therefore, there is scientific evidence of the contribution of PBM on fibrin composites, constituting a supporting therapy that acts by stimulating cell activity, angiogenesis, osteoblast activation, axonal growth, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema action, increased collagen synthesis and its maturation, as well as biomolecules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Medical and Dental Applications)

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