Nanomaterials: The Next Step in Injectable Bone Cements

Abstract

Injectable bone cements (IBCs) are biocompatible materials that can be used as bone defect fillers in maxillofacial surgeries and in orthopedic fracture treatment in order to augment weakened bone due to osteoporosis. Current clinically available IBCs, such as polymethylmethacrylate and calcium phosphate cement, have certain advantages; however, they possess several drawbacks that prevent them from gaining universal acceptance. New gel-based injectable materials have also been developed, but these are too mechanically weak for load-bearing applications. Recent research has focused on improving various injectable materials using nanomaterials in order to render them suitable for bone tissue regeneration. This article outlines the requirements of IBCs, the advantages and limitations of currently available IBCs and the state-of-the-art developments that have demonstrated the effects of nanomaterials within injectable systems.

Keywords::

• bioactive materials
• bone tissue engineering
• injectable bone cement
• injectable materials
• nanocomposites

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.