Polymer Therapeutics in Relation to Dentistry.

The successful clinical application arising from advances in polymer and macromolecular sciences in different fields of medicine has opened new explorative approaches for the future design and development of the ever more sophisticated bio-/nanotechnologies that are needed to realise the full potential of modern dentistry. In this chapter, the most recent polymer therapeutic approaches for alveolar ridge augmentation, bone grafts, periodontal disease, restorative materials and scaffolds or carriers for cell-based therapies are presented highlighting the potential of either synthetic or natural polymers, such as polyesters, polyolefins, polyacrylates or chitosan for example, being tailored and engineered to yield a range of properties valuable in the design and development of dental polymer therapeutics.