Bioactive Materials for the Future of Dentistry

Abstract

The term bioactivity is becoming more common in the fields of medicine and dentistry. Its positive implications often lead to its use in marketing dental restorative materials. However, there is some confusion surrounding the definition of the term, and concerns about its potential overuse have been raised. In response, FDI has decided to publish a Policy Statement regarding the bioactivity of dental restorative materials to clarify the term and outline some precautions for its use in advertising. The background information for this Policy Statement was gathered from current literature, primarily from the PubMed database and various online sources. Bioactive restorative materials should provide beneficial effects that are local, intended, and non-toxic, without interfering with the primary function of the material, which is to replace dental tissue. Three mechanisms of bioactivity for these materials have been identified: purely biological, a combination of biological and chemical, or strictly chemical. When the term bioactivity appears in advertisements or descriptions of dental restorative materials, it is essential to provide scientific evidence—whether from in vitro or in situ studies, and ideally from clinical trials—that outlines the mechanism of action, the duration of the effect (particularly for materials that release antibacterial agents), and the absence of significant adverse biological side effects, such as the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Also, it must be proven that the main goal—like fixing the shape and function of damaged or missing teeth—is not harmed. This should be backed up by data from lab tests and studies on patients.