Applications of bioactive glass: A review

Abstract

The scope of research on dental materials has significantly increased throughout the last century. Bioactive glass has become an attractive option in biomaterials because of its unique qualities that promote advantageous biological responses. Compared to traditional dental glasses, bioactive glasses are innovative dental materials. As bioactive glass can form bonds with live tissues, mainly composed of calcium, phosphorus, and silicon, it is an excellent choice for many biomedical uses. At the vanguard of biomaterials, bioactive glass provides a unique blend of bioactivity, flexibility, and versatility. The bioactivity of bioactive glass is one of its primary characteristics. Bioactive glass generates a hydroxyapatite coating on its surface when it comes into contact with physiological fluids. The potential for introducing growth factors and bioactive substances to enhance the material's capacity to communicate with biological tissues has been studied. Various uses of bioactive glass have been discovered, including wound healing, bone grafts, dentin hypersensitivity, regeneration, implant devices, etc. Cement was used for dental applications, and the attachment of joint prostheses to bone was also made using bioactive glass. Bioactive glasses are present in the composition of several dental and oral hygiene products. Because of their many benefits—such as their capacity to maintain biological tissues' structural integrity, their usefulness as scaffolds, and their capacity to inhibit bacterial growth—bioactive glasses are becoming increasingly valuable in several dental specialties.