Bioresorbable Magnesium-Based Alloys as Novel Biomaterials in Oral Bone Regeneration: General Review and Clinical Perspectives

Abstract

Bone preservation and primary regeneration is a daily challenge in the field of dental medicine. In recent years, bioresorbable metals based on magnesium (Mg) have been widely investigated due to their bone-like modulus of elasticity, their high biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and osteoconductive properties. Synthetic Mg-based biomaterials are promising candidates for bone regeneration in comparison with other currently available pure synthetic materials. Different alloys based on Mg were developed to fit clinical requirements. In parallel, advances in additive manufacturing offer the possibility to fabricate experimentally bioresorbable metallic porous scaffolds. This review describes the promising clinical results of resorbable Mg-based biomaterials for bone repair in osteosynthetic application and discusses the perspectives of use in oral bone regeneration.

Keywords: alloy; biomaterial; bone regeneration; magnesium.

Figure 1

(a) Anteroposterior and lateral ankle radiographs of a 49-year-old female patient with medial malleolar fracture treated with Mg-based screws. (b) After 2 weeks: visible fracture line at the medial malleolus associated with small signs of radiolucent zones within the bone surrounding the screws. (c) After 6 weeks: fracture consolidation with increase of radiolucent zones within the bone surrounding the screws. (d) After 12 weeks, and (e) After 24 weeks: constant and non-evolutive radiolucent zones. (f) CT scan at 52 weeks, decrease of radiolucent zones, increased endosteal bone mass, and periosteal bone ingrowth at the screw head (white arrow). Reproduced from [108].