A key component of dental care, soft tissue repair, and bone regeneration, bioactive glass is one of the most innovative materials in contemporary biomedical engineering. Bioactive glass, in contrast to conventional biocompatible materials, actively engages biological tissues to facilitate integration and healing. Researchers have created a variety of bioactive glass types since its inception in the late 1960s, each with a specific use in mind. The different kinds of bioactive glass, their compositions, and their unique biomedical applications will all be covered in this blog. (1)
Larry Hench discovered 45S5 Bioglass® (The Original Bioactive Glass) in 1969. (2)
Its composition is as follows:
- 45 percent SiO₂, 24-point 5 percent CaO, 24-point 5 percent NaO, and 6 percent P₂O₅.
It is still among the most popular and thoroughly researched kinds.
Key characteristics include:
- High bioactivity and strong bone bonding;
- Promotes the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer upon contact with bodily fluids;
- Excellent for dental applications and bone grafting;
Uses include:
- Orthopedic implants;
- Dental fillers and bone substitutes;
- Middle ear surgery.
- In addition to bone regeneration, S53P4 is another clinically proven bioactive glass with antibacterial qualities. (3)
Its composition is as follows:
- 53% SiO₂, 23% NaO, 20% CaO, and 4% P₂O₅.
Key features include:
- Osteostimulative and antibacterial properties
- Slower rate of degradation than 45S5
- Enhances bone growth even in infected environments
- Bone void fillers
- Chronic osteomyelitis treatment
- Cranial reconstruction.
Mesoporous Bioactive Glass (MBG):
MBGs are perfect for tissue engineering and drug delivery because of their large surface area and highly ordered porous structure.(4)
High surface area and pore volume, controlled drug and ion release, and doping-enabled customizable bioactivity.
Key characteristics.
- Drug delivery systems
- Bone tissue scaffolds
- Soft tissue engineering are some of its applications.
Doped Bioactive Glasses:
To improve certain qualities, these bioactive glasses have been doped with ions like copper (Cu), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn), or silver (Ag). (5)
Key characteristics include:
- Copper: angiogenesis and antimicrobial effects;
- Silver: antibacterial
- Strontium: stimulation of bone formation
Applications:
- Materials for wound healing
- Antibacterial coatings for implants
- Stimulating vascularization in tissue scaffolds.
Conclusion
The field of regenerative medicine has been revolutionised by the versatile and ever-evolving family of materials known as bioactive glasses. With the creation of novel formulations and nanostructured forms, their range of applications keeps growing, ranging from controlled medication delivery to bone mending.
As research advances, we can expect ever more specialized varieties of bioactive glass suited for exact biomedical challenges—ushering in a new era of personalized regenerative remedies.
References:
1) Fernandes HR, Gaddam A, Rebelo A, et al. Bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics for healthcare applications in bone regeneration and tissue engineering. Materials 2018; 11:2530.
2) Hench L.L., Splinter R.J., Allen W., Greenlee T. Bonding mechanisms at the interface of ceramic prosthetic materials. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part A. 1971;5:117–141. doi: 10.1002/jbm.820050611. [DOI] [Google Scholar][Ref list]
3) Hupa L. Melt-derived bioactive glasses. In: Ylänen H., editor. Bioactive Glasses: Materials, Properties and Applications. Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing; 2011. pp. 3–28
4) M. Salètes, M. Vartin, C. Mocquot, C. Chevalier, B. Grosgogeat, P. Colon, N. AttikMesoporous bioactive glasses cytocompatibility assessment: a review of in vitro studiesBiomimetics (Basel), 6 (2021), p. 9, 10.3390/biomimetics6010009
5) Vallet-Regi, M.; Salinas, A.J. Mesoporous bioactive glasses for regenerative medicine. Mater. Today Bio. 2021, 11, 100121.
