PMMA: An essential material in medicine and dentistry

Robert Q. Frazer, Raymond T. Byron, Paul B. Osborne, Karen P. West

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

304 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a dental device was for the fabrication of complete denture bases. Its qualities of biocompatibility, reliability, relative ease of manipulation, and low toxicity were soon seized upon and incorporated by many different medical specialties. PMMA has been used for (a) bone cements; (b) contact and intraocular lens; (c) screw fixation in bone; (d) filler for bone cavities and skull defects; and (e) vertebrae stabilization in osteoporotic patients. The many uses of PMMA in the field of medicine will be the focus of this review, with particular attention paid to assessing its physical properties, advantages, disadvantages, and complications. Although numerous new alloplastic materials show promise, the versatility and reliability of PMMA cause it to remain a popular and frequently used material.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)629-639
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Bone cement
  • Cranioplasty
  • Intraocular lens
  • PMMA
  • Polymethyl methacrylate
  • Vertebral stabilization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Dentistry

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