Category: Biomaterials

With billions of contact lenses and countless wound dressings containing hydrogels produced annually, these water-based polymers are a ubiquitous feature in modern medicine. Despite their widespread use and general safety, understanding what are the side effects of hydrogels is vital for both patients and healthcare providers to ensure proper application and management.

Amorphous forms of silica and silicates are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for oral delivery up to 1,500 mg per day. So, **is silica used in medicine?** Absolutely. This article explores its established and emerging roles, from its inert function as a pharmaceutical excipient to its revolutionary potential in advanced drug delivery systems.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels, a class of polymers known for their ability to absorb large quantities of water, are increasingly used in biomedical fields due to their soft, tissue-like consistency. In pharmacology, understanding what PAM hydrogel is involves recognizing its potential as a versatile platform for controlled drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and advanced wound care.

Derived from brown seaweed, alginate is a popular, cost-effective biomaterial used across dentistry and wound care. However, a major drawback limiting its use in precision applications is its poor dimensional stability, particularly in dentistry, where delayed handling can lead to inaccurate models.

While polysiloxanes are widely used in thousands of products due to their inertness and stability, recent scientific evidence questions the generalized assumption of their non-toxicity, pointing to specific health concerns based on their molecular structure and application. A crucial area of research is understanding exactly what are the side effects of polysiloxanes, particularly in long-term human contact through medical implants, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems.

Amorphous silica, also known as silicon dioxide ($SiO_2$), is a compound found naturally and widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Beyond its traditional role as a simple excipient, the answer to the question "What is silica used for?" now includes advanced applications like targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), often known simply as acrylic glass, has a long and successful history in clinical medicine, with the first permanent intraocular lens implant occurring in 1949. The key question, "What is poly methyl used for?", is answered by its extensive use as a biocompatible, durable, and cost-effective biomaterial in diverse fields such as orthopedic surgery and dentistry.

Hydroxyapatite makes up about 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of bone, making it the hardest substance in the human body. **What is nanoXIM?** It is a brand of synthetic, nano-sized hydroxyapatite designed to mimic this natural mineral for medical and dental applications.