Designer supersurfaces via bioinspiration and biomimetics for dental materials and structures

Abstract

The design of surfaces and interfaces gives rise to superior qualities and properties to materials and structures. The interface between biology and materials in nature is being closely examined at the smallest scales for a number of significant reasons. It is recognised that the properties of surfaces have definite biological effects that can be harnessed in clinical regeneration biology. Also the deeper understanding of surface interactions between cells and matrices in human biology is spurring the fabrication of biomimetic and bioinspired versions of these natural designs. The new emerging science of bioinspired surface engineering is helping to improve clinical performances for biomaterials and biostructures because it resolves the problems necessary to optimise integration of implant biomaterials and structures. One of the major developments is the use of surface topography, which is now being exploited for microbial control, steering stem cell behaviours in proliferation and differentiation and adhesive surfaces for better bonding with tissues. In this Chapter we will explore the status of these super surfaces and examine the possibilities for the next generation of dental biomaterials and implants.