Ceramics for medical applications

Ceramics, glasses and glass ceramics include a broad range of inorganic non-metallic compositions. The apatite and related calcium phosphates have been of remarkable interest to biologists, mineralogists, inorganic and industrial chemists for many years. Calcium phosphate biomaterials, mainly hydroxyapatite, find many clinical applications in the repair of bone defects, bone augmentation and coatings for metal implants. Certain compositions of ceramics, glasses, glass ceramics and composites have shown bone bonding behaviour. These materials have become known as bioactive ceramics. A common characteristic of bioactive ceramics is a time-dependent, kinetic modification of the surface that occurs upon implantation. The surface forms a biologically active carbonate hydroxyapatite layer that provides the bonding interface with living tissues. The aim of this perspective is to present an overview of the different types of ceramics available for medical applications, focused mainly on bioactive glasses.