CONTEMPORARY BIOMATERIALS Material and Host Response, Clinical Applications, New Technology and Legal Aspects

Biomaterials have made a significant impact upon patient care within thepast two decades. Substances originally intended for nonmedical use now playa major role in determining the performance and longevity of medical and dentaldevices. No longer is it adequate to use off-the-shelf substances of questionableor inadequately characterized composition. Metals, plastics, rubber, textiles,ceramics and composities are now scrutinized as possible sources ofuntoward tissue reactions and premature failure. Only a small percentage ofmaterials have been shown to be fully satisfactory. Out of this concern, a multitudeof questions has arisen regarding safety and efficacy of implants. Are weutilizing the best available materials in the most appropriate ways? Can weadvance medical practice with newer and better materials? Do our tests anddata fully apprise us of the long-term consequences as well as the short-termbehavior of biomaterials in contact with tissues? Can we give adequate assurancesto answer not only regulatory and legal questions but also to protect thepatient