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. 2020 Sep 16;13(18):4108. doi: 10.3390/ma13184108

Table 2.

Overview of synthetic polymers related to plastic surgery.

Name Application Mode Application Site Advantages Disadvantages Molecular Structure/Formula
Organic Polymer Materials
Silicone [37,38,39,40,41] Prosthesis Rhinoplasty, breast enhancement, plumping forehead and lumping buttock Heat resistance, cold resistance, non-toxicity, biological aging resistance, physiological inertia, little response to human tissues, and good physical and mechanical properties Strong hydrophobicity, poor antibacterial properties, and aging problems graphic file with name materials-13-04108-i001.jpg
ePTFE [42,43,44,45] Prosthesis Ear reconstruction, rhinoplasty Good biocompatibility, good tensile strength Non-biodegradable, poor antibacterial properties graphic file with name materials-13-04108-i002.jpg
PMMA [46,47,48,49,50,51] Injectable liquid Facial wrinkles, fill in acne scars, correct nipple depressions, highlight chins, and swell cheeks long-lasting Bead protrusions, allergic reactions, telangiectasia, and granuloma formation graphic file with name materials-13-04108-i003.jpg
High-density polyethylene [52,53,54,55,56] Prosthesis Repair of cheeks, orbital arch, orbital floor, upper and lower jaws, cheekbones, temporal, and ears Good biocompatibility, rough, convergent, and porous structure High risk of infection, poor mechanical properties graphic file with name materials-13-04108-i004.jpg
PLA and PLGA [57,58,59,60] Prosthesis; sutures Surgical absorbable sutures, bone fixation plates, screws Good biocompatibility, biodegradability Rapid biodegradation Inline graphic
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Inline graphic
Ceramic Materials
Hydroxyapatite [61,62,63,64] Prosthesis Substitute for large area bone defects such as oral and maxillofacial regions, substitutes for teeth Good biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity High brittleness, low strength, and poor toughness graphic file with name materials-13-04108-i007.jpg
Bioglass materials [65,66] Prosthesis Bone repair and regeneration Good biocompatibility and bone binding ability Low mechanical strength, high brittleness, poor bending strength, and compressive strength E.g.
45S5 Bioglass® (developed by L.L. Hench): 45 wt% SiO2, 24.5 wt% CaO, 24.5 wt% Na2O, and 6.0 wt% P2O5.

ePTFE: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene; PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate; PLA: Polylactic acid; PGA: Polyglycolic acid.