Bioinorganics in Bioactive Calcium Silicate Ceramics for Bone Tissue Repair: Bioactivity and Biological Properties

Abstract

Bioinorganics and the use of metal ions in the synthesis and design of new materials have received considerable attention with regard to use as new biomaterials. One of the important roles of metal ions is the control of dissolution in biomaterials, which has an influence on their biological and chemical properties. Up until now, metal ions such as magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr) have been used to dope silicate- and phosphate-based ceramics. Calcium silicate (CaSiO3, CS) ceramics are biocompatible and bioactive. Some CS ceramics have exhibited superior apatite formation ability in simulated body fluids (SBF) and their ionic dissolution products have been shown to enhance cell proliferation and differentiation. Their main drawback, however, is the high dissolution rate as this is detrimental to cells. Metal ions are used to modify their chemical composition and structure in order to overcome this complication. In this review paper, we consider the apatite formation ability, dissolution and the in vitro and in vivo biological properties of ion-doped CS ceramics such as bredigite, akermanite, monticellite, diopside, merwinite, hardystonite, baghdadite and sphene. Overall, according to the studies conducted on CS bioceramics, they may be a good candidate for bone tissue regeneration.