Biomaterials in facial reconstruction

This review highlights some of the recent developments in biomaterials that are suited to reconstruction of the craniofacial skeleton. Although there is no ideal biomaterial, numerous alternatives are available to practicing surgeons that provide attractive alternatives to autogenous bone graft in the appropriate clinical settings. Biomaterials are a particularly well suited for skeletal augmentation, since autogenous bone can often undergo unpredictable resorption in these applications. Although all of the biomaterials reviewed in the present chapter seem to maintain their volume over time, porosity of the biomaterial may be a significant factor in determining bone ingrowth into the implant. Cement paste implants tend to contain micropores, and both experimental and clinical evidence indicates that there is less long-term bone ingrowth into these biomaterials than in implants with macroporous architecture.