Review on calcium silicate-based bioceramics in bone tissue engineering

Calcium (Ca) and silica (Si) ions have attracted intense interest in biomedical applications. The two ions are directly involved in many biological processes; for instance, Ca plays a key role in regulating cellular responses to bioceramics, promoting cell growth, and differentiation into osteoblasts. Si plays a significant role in bone calcification and is helpful for bone density improvement and inhibiting osteoporosis. Calcium silicate ceramics including a large group of trace metal containing calcium silicate-based compounds are involved in biomedical applications such as repairing hard tissue texture, bone scaffolds, bone cements, or implant coatings. The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive overview of developments in research on calcium silicate-based ceramics, such as wollastonite (CaSiO3), diopside (CaMgSi2O6), akermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7), bredigite (Ca7Mg(SiO4)(4)), merwinite (Ca3MgSi2O8), monticellite (CaMgSiO4), hardystonite (Ca2Zn(Si2O7), and baghdadite (Ca3ZrSi2O9), including degradation, apatite mineralization, and mechanical properties. Finally, the biological in vitro and in vivo presentation for bone tissue repair are summarized, which show promise with regard to application of calcium silicate-based ceramics as bone repair and replacement materials.