Designing Bioactive Polymeric Materials for Restorative Dentistry

Restorative biomaterials in dentistry are designed to restore the shape and function of teeth. Their applicability is related to restorative procedures such as dental restorations, dentures, dental implants, and endodontic materials. Designing Bioactive Polymeric Materials for Restorative Dentistry reviews the current state of the art for restorative biomaterials and discusses the near-future trends in this field. The book examines the biomaterials utilized in restorative dental applications (bonding, composites, cements, and ceramics) and assesses the design for these materials and the role of nanotechnology.

All of the contributors are active clinical dentists and researchers in this field.

FEATURES

• Overviews the major ongoing research efforts on developing bioactive bonding systems and composites in dental biomaterials
• Focuses on emerging trends in restorative dental biomaterials
• Incorporates evidence-based data on new restorative dental materials throughout the book
• Features extensive references at the end of each chapter to enhance further study

Mary Anne S. Melo, DDS, MSc, PhD FADM, is an Associate Professor and Division Director of Operative Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.

Mary Anne S. Melo, DDS, MSc, PhD FADM, is an Associate Professor and Division Director of Operative Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Melo attended dental school at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil, completed a residency in operative dentistry, master’s and PhD at the Federal University of Ceara, and pursued fellowship training in dental materials at the University of Maryland before joining the operative faculty.

Dr. Melo is a clinician, researcher, and educator. In her teaching work, she directs and participates in restorative dentistry predoctoral and post- graduate courses and mentors students in master’s and PhD research projects. Her main areas of research focus primarily on (1) oral biofilm control with nanotechnologies by investigating anti-biofilm nanotechnologies for the oral healthcare field, (2) biofilm modeling with the development of new in vitro caries/biofilm models, (3) evaluation of the antimicrobial proper- ties of biomaterials, and (4) translational research for the development of clinically relevant therapeutic strategies for the control of dental caries.

She has written over 100 peer-review scientific articles and serves as an ad hoc reviewer and participates in the editorial board of several scientific journals in dentistry, medicine, and biomaterials. Dr. Melo is a fellow of the Academy of Dental Materials and a member of the Academy of Operative Dentistry, the International Association for Dental Research, the Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Melo’s unique qualifications as a researcher with clinical and materials science perspectives have successfully aligned her role for advances to the dental field.