New Frontiers in Biomaterials.

Scientific and technological advances have combined to lead the way into a new era of the ever-developing science of biomaterials and tissue regeneration. This field has rapidly grown and new frontiers have quickly been established. Despite obtaining satisfactory results with current methods, improved techniques that lead to diminished patient discomfort, more favorable long-term prognosis, and decreased health care costs continue to be the goals of researchers, patients, and surgeons. Biomaterials have undergone a rapid evolution from materials that simply replaced tissues to factors that stimulate a biological response in the body.