45S5 bioglass based scaffolds for skeletal repair

Abstract

Glass as a material presents significant potential for restoration of bone tissue. Glass can be designed to contain ions that positively influence bone metabolism in addition to stimulating additional pro-healing processes such as angiogenesis. Specifically, Bioglass® (please consult the Editor’s note in order to clarify the usage of the terms bioglass, bioactive glass and biocompatible glasses), a SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5 glass composition has been extensively studied since it was discovered that this particular composition can bond to bone and soft tissue in vivo. This property in particular led to the development of porous scaffolds that can be utilized to permit the ingrowth of bone and soft tissue, in addition to allowing free movement of host cells and physiological fluids that can further improve the healing rate. Many studies and processing methods have been conducted to optimize Bioglass® scaffolds porosity and interconnectivity in addition to improving some of the limitation such as the mechanical integrity. The diversity of studies that have been conducted on this particular composition greatly supports the potential that glassy materials encompass for scaffold materials applied to skeletal repair.