Table 1.
Types of Biomaterials with their advantages and disadvantages
| Types of Biomaterials | Examples | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics | Hydroxyapatite (HA) | Biocompatibility \ Mimics bone tissue composition \ Osteogenic properties | Brittleness makes it prone to cracking under mechanical load \ Poor tensile and shear strength |
| Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) | Promotes osteointegration \ Biodegradable, supports natural bone regeneration | Rapid degradation in highly acidic environments \ Mechanical integrity decreases over time | |
| Biphasic calcium phosphate (CaP) | Combines the properties of HA and TCP \ Good chemical stability and mechanical resistance | Variable degradation depending on composition | |
| Natural Polymers | Collagen (Coll) | Biocompatibility \ Promotes tissue regeneration \ Resembles ECM | Poor mechanical resistance \ Rapid degradation reduces long-term structural stability |
| Chitosan (CS) | Antibacterial properties \ Porosity supports cell growth \ Promotes neovascularization and cell proliferation | Low mechanical strength \ Limited solubility in neutral or basic pH environments | |
| Alginate (Alg) | Porous structure stimulates vascularization, adhesion, and cell proliferation \ Supports oxygenation and cell migration | Poor mechanical properties require blending with stronger materials \ Limited cell adhesion without functionalization | |
| Hyaluronic acid (Hay) | Stimulates angiogenesis \ Promotes rapid MSC differentiation \ Enhances bone formation | High cost limits large-scale applications \ Fast degradation in vivo without crosslinking with other materials | |
| Synthetic Polymers | Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) | Slow and controllable degradation ideal for long-term scaffolds \ Good processability for custom shapes and porosities | Slow degradation can delay tissue regeneration \ Poor mechanical strength under dynamic loads |
| Polylactic acid (PLA) | High mechanical strength \ Biodegradability \ Easy to process into fibers, films, or 3D structures | Acidic degradation byproducts that alter local pH, may causes inflammation of surrounding tissues | |
| Polyglycolic acid (PGA) | Rapid biodegradation promotes fast replacement by natural tissues \ High biocompatibility | Rapid degradation compromises mechanical stability | |
| PLGA copolymer | Improved osteoconduction compared to single PLA or PGA \ n- Versatile PLA/PGA ratios to adjust properties | Degradation generates acidic byproducts similar to PLA and PGA, potentially affecting the surrounding microenvironment | |
| Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) | High water solubility for easy processing \ Excellent mechanical properties when crosslinked | Poor biocompatibility without chemical modification \ Requires crosslinking to achieve adequate mechanical strength | |
| Ceramic-Polymer Composites | Hydroxyapatite / Collagen (HA / Coll) | Excellent osteoinductivity and biocompatibility \ Immunomodulatory potential \ Promotes MSC proliferation and differentiation | Despite the ceramic-polymer combination, it lacks sufficient strength for applications in areas subjected to high mechanical stress |