Where can I find research on bio-inspired dental materials

Okay, so I’m a dental student, and I’m starting a research project on bio-inspired dental materials for my thesis. It’s a really broad field, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to find relevant and recent research. I’m particularly interested in materials that mimic the properties of enamel or dentin, focusing on things like:

• Self-healing capabilities: Research on materials that can repair micro-cracks on their own, similar to how bone heals.
• Biomineralization: Studies on materials that promote the formation of apatite crystals, like natural teeth.
• Mechanical Properties: Investigations into materials that closely match the hardness, elasticity, and fracture toughness of natural tooth structures.

Ideally, I’m looking for sources that are readily accessible (e.g., open access journals, reputable databases, and potentially even review articles that synthesize existing research). I’m not really sure where to start my search besides the basics like PubMed and Google Scholar. Are there any other databases, specific journals, or even research groups that specialize in this area that I should be looking into? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Answer

Research on bio-inspired dental materials can be found in a variety of sources, spanning scientific journals, academic databases, books, conference proceedings, and reports from research institutions and funding agencies. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where to look:

1. Scientific Journals:

• Journals Focused on Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: These are excellent starting points due to their direct relevance.
  • Biomaterials: A leading journal covering all aspects of biomaterials science.
  • Acta Biomaterialia: Focuses on the application of materials in biological systems, including dental applications.
  • Tissue Engineering: Reports on research aimed at regenerating and repairing tissues, including dental tissues.
  • Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A & B: Covers the properties, behavior, and applications of biomedical materials. Part A focuses on materials science, while Part B focuses on applied biomaterials.
  • Advanced Healthcare Materials: Focuses on advanced materials used in healthcare, including dental materials.
• Dental-Specific Journals:
  • Journal of Dental Research: A highly respected journal covering a broad range of dental research topics.
  • Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry: Focuses on the restoration and replacement of teeth, often including material science aspects.
  • Journal of Periodontology: Covers research on the structures supporting the teeth and the diagnosis/treatment of periodontal diseases, and may contain material-related articles when applicable to periodontal treatments.
  • International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants: Focuses on dental implants, often with material science aspects relating to implant materials and coatings.
  • Operative Dentistry: Covers the techniques and materials used in restorative dentistry.
  • Dental Materials: A journal that is highly specific to the field.
• Materials Science Journals: While not exclusively focused on dental materials, these journals often publish relevant research on the properties, processing, and characterization of materials that could be applicable in dentistry.
  • Advanced Materials: Publishes cutting-edge research on all aspects of materials science.
  • Nature Materials: A high-impact journal publishing significant advances in materials science.
  • Science: Publishes broad scientific research with some content on materials science and bioinspiration.
  • ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces: Focuses on applied materials science with a section dedicated to biomaterials.
  • Scripta Materialia: Covers the rapid publication of short communications in materials science.

2. Academic Databases:

These databases are essential tools for searching and accessing scientific literature.

• PubMed/MEDLINE: A comprehensive database of biomedical literature maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). It’s excellent for finding research on dental materials and their biological interactions.
• Scopus: A large multidisciplinary database covering scientific, technical, medical, and social sciences literature. It provides comprehensive coverage of journal articles, conference proceedings, and books.
• Web of Science: Another major multidisciplinary database offering citation analysis tools and access to a wide range of journals and conference proceedings.
• Google Scholar: A freely accessible web search engine that indexes scholarly literature across many disciplines. It’s a good starting point for broad searches but may include less rigorously vetted sources.
• Engineering Village: A database focused on engineering literature, including materials science and biomedical engineering.

Effective Search Strategies:

• Use specific keywords such as "bio-inspired dental materials," "biomimetic dental materials," "enamel regeneration," "dentin remineralization," "bioactive dental composites," "self-healing dental materials," "peptide-mediated mineralization," "hydroxyapatite synthesis," "collagen-based dental materials," and "bio-inspired adhesives."
• Combine keywords with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your search. For example: "bio-inspired dental materials AND composites" or "enamel regeneration OR remineralization."
• Use truncation symbols () to search for variations of a word. For example: "remineraliz" will find "remineralization," "remineralize," and "remineralizing."
• Filter your search results by publication date to focus on the most recent research.
• Use citation tracking to find articles that cite key papers in the field. This can help you identify influential research and related studies.

3. Books and Book Chapters:

• Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine: Edited by Buddy D. Ratner, Allan S. Hoffman, Frederick J. Schoen, and Jack E. Lemons. This comprehensive textbook covers the fundamentals of biomaterials science and includes chapters relevant to dental materials.
• Dental Materials: Properties and Manipulation: By Robert G. Craig and Ronald L. Sakaguchi. A standard textbook on dental materials science, often including updated information on new and emerging materials.
• Comprehensive Biomaterials: Edited by Paul Ducheyne, Krishna Keshav, David C. Martin, David F. Williams. A multi-volume set providing in-depth coverage of biomaterials science and engineering, with sections on dental materials.
• Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Dentistry: Provides a focus on how nanoscale materials can be applied to dentistry.

4. Conference Proceedings:

Attending or accessing proceedings from relevant conferences is another excellent way to stay informed about the latest research.

• World Biomaterials Congress: A major international conference held every four years, covering all aspects of biomaterials research.
• Annual Meeting of the Academy of Dental Materials: Focused specifically on dental materials research.
• International Association for Dental Research (IADR) General Session & Exhibition: A large dental research conference with numerous sessions on materials science.
• European Society for Biomaterials Annual Conference: Focuses on advancements in the field of biomaterials in Europe.
• Materials Research Society (MRS) Meetings: While not solely focused on dental materials, MRS meetings often include symposia on biomaterials and related topics.

5. Research Institutions and Funding Agencies:

• Universities with strong dental materials research programs: Examples include the University of Michigan, the University of California San Francisco, the University of Washington, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Zurich, and many others. Check the websites of dental schools and engineering departments at major universities.
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): A primary funding agency for dental research in the United States. Search the NIH RePORTER database for funded projects related to bio-inspired dental materials.
• National Science Foundation (NSF): Funds research in materials science and engineering, which may include projects relevant to bio-inspired dental materials.
• European Research Council (ERC): Provides funding for research projects in Europe, including those related to biomaterials.
• Private foundations: Some private foundations also fund research in dental materials.

6. Patents:

• Google Patents: Search for patents related to bio-inspired dental materials. Patents can provide information on novel materials and technologies that may not yet be published in scientific journals.
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): Search the USPTO database for patents.
• European Patent Office (EPO): Search the EPO database for patents.

7. Review Articles:

• Search for review articles on "bio-inspired dental materials," "biomimetic dental materials," and related topics in the databases listed above. Review articles provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in a particular area and can be a valuable starting point for your research.

By utilizing these resources and search strategies, you can effectively find research on bio-inspired dental materials and stay up-to-date on the latest advances in this field.