ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The development of nanostructured bioactive glasses that are a popular material for oral tissue regeneration provides a better choice for dental tissue regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of nanostructured bioactive glasses in the field of oral tissue regeneration by reviewing relevant domestic and foreign literatures. METHODS: With the key words of "bioactive glass, nanostructure, mesoporous" in Chinese and English, we performed a computer-based search in CNKI and PubMed database for relevant articles published from January 2000 to March 2017. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Nanostructured bioactive glasses have better bioactivity, degradation, drug-loading capability and antibacterial property compared with traditional bioactive glasses. Addition of various ions, such as magnesium, zinc, strontium, copper, silver, can further improve the physiochemical and biological properties of nanostructured bioactive glasses. A variety of methods, including sol-gel, template-directed synthesis, microemulsion, flame spray and 3D printing, have been performed to fabricate nanostructured bioactive glasses, among which, 3D printing may be an ideal method in the future. Studies on nanostructured bioactive glasses are still at in vitro and animal experimental levels, though they have been confirmed to be used in regeneration of maxillofacial bone and tooth. Considering that there are still no relevant clinical reports, further investigations are needed to verify its clinical effects and safety.