Bioactive glass-ceramics: From macro to nano

Bioactive glasses have opened the path to a new generation of biomaterials that are able to promote new bone formation by triggering bone cell signaling pathways. They can also promote angiogenesis, confer antimicrobial properties, and control the release of therapeutic ions as well as bond to soft tissue. The most used bioactive glasses belong to the silicate family. However, their low network connectivity generally leads to poor thermal processability, inhibiting proper sintering or fiber drawing. Their crystallization can decrease or even suppress the bioactivity. While crystallization of known bioactive glasses cannot be controlled, researchers have developed glass-ceramics. They showed that upon control of the crystalline phase, overall crystallinity, and crystal size the bioactivity could be maintained or improved, the mechanical property can be enhanced, and the dissolution profile controlled. Glass-ceramics have found space in dental and bone applications. Routes to nanostructure the glass-ceramics surface have led to unique biological properties.