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Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 25401

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Tecnica e Gestione dei Sistemi Industriali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
Interests: ceramic bio-coatings; direct Ink writing; scaffolds; sustainable product development
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioceramic materials are moving a step ahead: applications where ceramics were denied are becoming a reality, due to the evolution of novel compositions and manufacturing processes that produce materials possessing outstanding mechanical and bioactive properties. Beside the use of hydroxyapatite for bone repair, the recognized importance of silicon in the bone regeneration process has opened the door to silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite regarding calcium silicates and their solid solutions (i.e., with TiO2 and MgO).

These advances have given rise to a novel generation of bioceramic coatings possessing better adhesion and bioactivity than traditional hydroxyapatite-based ones. The advent of additive manufacturing technologies allows for the production of porous ceramic scaffolds with tailored geometry, pores, and roughness.

Bioceramic bone grafts can find applications in non-load-bearing implants such as maxillofacial surgery or connections in orthopedics and dentistry. Biocremics can also be used as fillers, like powders or spheres.

The use of bioceramics as coatings allows for the improvement of implant bioactivity where mechanical strength and elastoplasticity are the main prerequisites (orthopedic and dental applications).

This Special Issue wants to focus on state-of-the-art and cutting edge research on the three main applications of bioceramics: maxillofacial, orthopedic, and dental, to ensure that the four main bioceramics shapes are used: coatings, 3D printed scaffolds, foams, and powders and beads.

Assoc. Prof. Lisa Biasetto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • bioceramics
  • scaffolds
  • coatings
  • implants
  • bone tissue regeneration

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 20002 KiB  
Article
Calcium Sulfate and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Enhance Bone Regeneration after Extraction of the Mandibular Third Molar: A Proof of Concept Study
by María Huchim-Chablé, Roberto Sosa-Martínez de Arredondo, José Alberto Rivero-Navarrete, Celia Mendiburu-Zavala, Rubén Cárdenas-Erosa and Ricardo Peñaloza-Cuevas
Materials 2021, 14(5), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14051126 - 27 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1880
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the mixture of Calcium Sulfate and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (CaSO4 + PRGF) as a bone-graft substitute in extracted mandibular third molar (MTM) alveoli during a 4-month period. Bilateral MTM extractions were performed [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the mixture of Calcium Sulfate and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (CaSO4 + PRGF) as a bone-graft substitute in extracted mandibular third molar (MTM) alveoli during a 4-month period. Bilateral MTM extractions were performed in 10 patients (18–25 years) at the Oral-Surgery-Clinic of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY). A CaSO4 + PRGF mixture was placed in the right alveolus (Experimental Group (EG)) and a natural blood clot in the left (Control Group (CG)). Monthly X-ray controls were performed using a gray scale to measure Bone Regeneration (BR). A non-parametric Sign Test was used to evaluate Radiopacity/Bone Regeneration (Ro/BR) over 4 months, and a Friedman’s non-parametric test was used for intra-group analysis over these months. The study was approved by the Centro de Investigaciones Regionales (Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, UADY Bioethics Committee, ID 0026-2015). Using a non-parametric test of the sign, the EG showed significant difference of Ro/BR between groups p = 0.002 (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in all quadrants and areas p = 0.002 (p < 0.05) except in area A in month 4 (p = 0.016), which could be explained by its being the closest to native bone. EG CaSO4 + PRGF showed a higher degree of bone regeneration compared to CG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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20 pages, 3420 KiB  
Article
Impact of Glass Composition on Hydrolytic Degradation of Polylactide/Bioactive Glass Composites
by Inari Lyyra, Katri Leino, Terttu Hukka, Markus Hannula, Minna Kellomäki and Jonathan Massera
Materials 2021, 14(3), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14030667 - 01 Feb 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2477
Abstract
Understanding the degradation of a composite material is crucial for tailoring its properties based on the foreseen application. In this study, poly-L,DL-lactide 70/30 (PLA70) was compounded with silicate or phosphate bioactive glass (Si-BaG and P-BaG, respectively). The composite processing was carried out without [...] Read more.
Understanding the degradation of a composite material is crucial for tailoring its properties based on the foreseen application. In this study, poly-L,DL-lactide 70/30 (PLA70) was compounded with silicate or phosphate bioactive glass (Si-BaG and P-BaG, respectively). The composite processing was carried out without excessive thermal degradation of the polymer and resulted in porous composites with lower mechanical properties than PLA70. The loss in mechanical properties was associated with glass content rather than the glass composition. The degradation of the composites was studied for 40 weeks in Tris buffer solution Adding Si-BaG to PLA70 accelerated the polymer degradation in vitro more than adding P-BaG, despite the higher reactivity of the P-BaG. All the composites exhibited a decrease in mechanical properties and increased hydrophilicity during hydrolysis compared to the PLA70. Both glasses dissolved through the polymer matrix with a linear, predictable release rate of ions. Most of the P-BaG had dissolved before 20 weeks in vitro, while there was still Si-BaG left after 40 weeks. This study introduces new polymer/bioactive glass composites with tailorable mechanical properties and ion release for bone regeneration and fixation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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15 pages, 3364 KiB  
Article
Structural and Chemical Hierarchy in Hydroxyapatite Coatings
by Karlis A. Gross, Christiane Petzold, Liene Pluduma-LaFarge, Maris Kumermanis and Håvard J. Haugen
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194447 - 07 Oct 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2215
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite coatings need similarly shaped splats as building blocks and then a homogeneous microstructure to unravel the structural and chemical hierarchy for more refined improvements to implant surfaces. Coatings were thermally sprayed with differently sized powders (20–40, 40–63 and 63–80 µm) to produce [...] Read more.
Hydroxyapatite coatings need similarly shaped splats as building blocks and then a homogeneous microstructure to unravel the structural and chemical hierarchy for more refined improvements to implant surfaces. Coatings were thermally sprayed with differently sized powders (20–40, 40–63 and 63–80 µm) to produce flattened homogeneous splats. The surface was characterized for splat shape by profilometry and Atomic force microscopy (AFM), crystal size by AFM, crystal orientation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and structural variations by XRD. Chemical composition was assessed by phase analysis, but variations in chemistry were detected by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The resulting surface electrical potential was measured by Kelvin probe AFM. Five levels of structural hierarchy were suggested: the coating, the splat, oriented crystals, alternate layers of oxyapatite and hydroxyapatite (HAp) and the suggested anion orientation. Chemical hierarchy was present over a lower range of order for smaller splats. Coatings made from smaller splats exhibited a greater electrical potential, inferred to arise from oxyapatite, and supplemented by ordered OH ions in a rehydroxylated surface layer. A model has been proposed to show the influence of structural hierarchy on the electrical surface potential. Structural hierarchy is proposed as a means to further refine the properties of implant surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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15 pages, 5651 KiB  
Article
Role of Magnesium and the Effect of Surface Roughness on the Hydroxyapatite-Forming Ability of Zirconia Induced by Biomimetic Aqueous Solution Treatment
by Hasnat Zamin, Takeshi Yabutsuka, Shigeomi Takai and Hiroshi Sakaguchi
Materials 2020, 13(14), 3045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143045 - 08 Jul 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2204
Abstract
Zirconia is a well-known bioceramic for dental and orthopedic applications due to its mechanical and aesthetic properties. However, it lacks sufficient bioactivity to bond with the living bone. This study was aimed to induce bioactivity to tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) by simple biomimetic [...] Read more.
Zirconia is a well-known bioceramic for dental and orthopedic applications due to its mechanical and aesthetic properties. However, it lacks sufficient bioactivity to bond with the living bone. This study was aimed to induce bioactivity to tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) by simple biomimetic aqueous solution treatment. First, hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching was performed to enhance the surface roughness of the 3Y-TZP surface. Then, the samples were treated with two types of aqueous solutions containing calcium and phosphate ions (Ca-P solutions); one solution additionally contained magnesium (Mg) ions and the other without Mg ions. Finally, hydroxyapatite (HAp)-forming ability was evaluated by the conventional simulated body fluid (SBF) test, and the effect of Mg ions on the adhesive strength of the HAp layer to the roughened 3Y-TZP surface was also investigated. The results concluded that there were no noticeable differences in the effect of Mg ions on the HAp-forming ability, and both types of solution treatments resulted in dense HAp formation in 1 day SBF immersion. However, incorporation of Mg ions in one of the Ca-P solutions significantly improved the adhesive strength of the HAp layer to the HF-etched 3Y-TZP substrate compared to the Ca-P solution with no Mg ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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17 pages, 7440 KiB  
Article
Crystallization Kinetics and Structural Properties of the 45S5 Bioactive Glass and Glass-Ceramic Fiber Doped with Eu3+
by Agata Baranowska, Magdalena Leśniak, Marcin Kochanowicz, Jacek Żmojda, Piotr Miluski and Dominik Dorosz
Materials 2020, 13(6), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13061281 - 12 Mar 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3556
Abstract
An investigation of the crystallization kinetics of 45S5 Bioglass® using differential scanning calorimetry is presented in this paper. Thermal analysis was performed using the Friedman method. The activation energy and the Avrami index were calculated. The glass samples were subjected to additional [...] Read more.
An investigation of the crystallization kinetics of 45S5 Bioglass® using differential scanning calorimetry is presented in this paper. Thermal analysis was performed using the Friedman method. The activation energy and the Avrami index were calculated. The glass samples were subjected to additional controlled heat treatment at 620 °C in order to obtain bioactive glass-ceramics with enhanced mechanical properties. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements indicated the formation of the glass-ceramic structures of three cyclosilicates: Na4Ca4(Si6O18) or Na6Ca3(Si6O18) or Na16Ca4(Si12O36). Based on middle infrared region (MIR) results, it can be concluded that the crystalline phase present in the tested materials was Na6Ca3(Si6O18) (combeite). Material was doped with Eu3+ ions, which act as a spectroscopic probe for monitoring the structural changes in the glass matrix. The decreasing value of the fluorescence intensity radio parameter indicated symmetry around the europium ions and, thus, the arrangement of the glass structure. The bioactive properties of the examined glass-ceramics were also determined. The bioactive glass fibers doped with Eu3+ were manufactured using two different methods. Its structural and luminescent properties were examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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14 pages, 2027 KiB  
Article
Plasma-Sprayed Bioactive Ceramic Coatings with High Resorption Resistance Based on Transition Metal-Substituted Calcium Hexaorthophosphates
by Robert B. Heimann
Materials 2019, 12(13), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132059 - 27 Jun 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2554
Abstract
Calcium (titanium, zirconium) hexaorthophosphates with a [NZP] (sodium zirconium phosphate) structure belonging to the NaSiCon (Na Superionic Conductor) family were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying onto the surfaces of Ti6Al4V substrates. (NaSiCon sensu strictu refers to solids with [...] Read more.
Calcium (titanium, zirconium) hexaorthophosphates with a [NZP] (sodium zirconium phosphate) structure belonging to the NaSiCon (Na Superionic Conductor) family were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying onto the surfaces of Ti6Al4V substrates. (NaSiCon sensu strictu refers to solids with the chemical formula Na1+xZr2SixP3−xO12, 0 < x < 3. In a broader sense, it is also used for similar compounds where Na, Zr and/or Si are replaced by isovalent elements). The microstructure of the coatings revealed the incongruent melting of the precursor material as ascertained by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The adhesion of the coatings to the substrate surface was within the limits specified for biomedical coatings. The solubility of the coatings was tested by immersion in 0.2 molar tris–hydroxymethyl–amino–methane–HCl (TRIS–HCl) buffer and found to be at least one order of magnitude lower than that of conventional hydroxylapatite coatings deposited under comparable conditions. In vitro biocompatibility tests with primary rat bone marrow cells (BMCs) showed a substantial cell proliferation in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Animal tests confirmed that coatings based on calcium (titanium, zirconium) hexaorthophosphates applied to Ti6Al4V rods implanted in the femoral medulla of sheep led to the strong neoformation of dense bone at a stable interface implant-bioceramic coating without coating delamination. Hence, based on their multifarious advantageous properties in the biomedical context, CaTi4-xZrx(PO4)6 ceramics may be considered the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ of osseoconductive coatings for the stem of hip endoprostheses and dental root implants, osteosynthetic fixation devices, and bioelectric devices including bone growth stimulators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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Review

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26 pages, 1357 KiB  
Review
The Impact of Bioceramic Scaffolds on Bone Regeneration in Preclinical In Vivo Studies: A Systematic Review
by Giulia Brunello, Sourav Panda, Lucia Schiavon, Stefano Sivolella, Lisa Biasetto and Massimo Del Fabbro
Materials 2020, 13(7), 1500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071500 - 25 Mar 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4676
Abstract
Bioceramic scaffolds are appealing for alveolar bone regeneration, because they are emerging as promising alternatives to autogenous and heterogenous bone grafts. The aim of this systematic review is to answer to the focal question: in critical-sized bone defects in experimental animal models, does [...] Read more.
Bioceramic scaffolds are appealing for alveolar bone regeneration, because they are emerging as promising alternatives to autogenous and heterogenous bone grafts. The aim of this systematic review is to answer to the focal question: in critical-sized bone defects in experimental animal models, does the use of a bioceramic scaffolds improve new bone formation, compared with leaving the empty defect without grafting materials or using autogenous bone or deproteinized bovine-derived bone substitutes? Electronic databases were searched using specific search terms. A hand search was also undertaken. Only randomized and controlled studies in the English language, published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2018, using critical-sized bone defect models in non-medically compromised animals, were considered. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the SYRCLE tool. A meta-analysis was planned to synthesize the evidence, if possible. Thirteen studies reporting on small animal models (six studies on rats and seven on rabbits) were included. The calvarial bone defect was the most common experimental site. The empty defect was used as the only control in all studies except one. In all studies the bioceramic materials demonstrated a trend for better outcomes compared to an empty control. Due to heterogeneity in protocols and outcomes among the included studies, no meta-analysis could be performed. Bioceramics can be considered promising grafting materials, though further evidence is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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47 pages, 3015 KiB  
Review
Bioactive Glass and Silicate-Based Ceramic Coatings on Metallic Implants: Open Challenge or Outdated Topic?
by Giulia Brunello, Hamada Elsayed and Lisa Biasetto
Materials 2019, 12(18), 2929; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12182929 - 10 Sep 2019
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 5011
Abstract
The overall success and long-term life of the medical implants are decisively based on the convenient osseointegration at the hosting tissue-implant interface. Therefore, various surface modifications and different coating approaches have been utilized to the implants to enhance the bone formation and speed [...] Read more.
The overall success and long-term life of the medical implants are decisively based on the convenient osseointegration at the hosting tissue-implant interface. Therefore, various surface modifications and different coating approaches have been utilized to the implants to enhance the bone formation and speed up the interaction with the surrounding hosting tissues, thereby enabling the successful fixation of implants. In this review, we will briefly present the main metallic implants and discuss their biocompatibility and osseointegration ability depending on their chemical and mechanical properties. In addition, as the main goal of this review, we explore the main properties of bioactive glasses and silica-based ceramics that are used as coating materials for both orthopedic and dental implants. The current review provides an overview of these bioactive coatings, with a particular emphasis on deposition methods, coating adhesion to the substrates and apatite formation ability tested by immersion in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). In vitro and in vivo performances in terms of biocompatibility, biodegradability and improved osseointegration are examined as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ceramics and Their Applications)
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