Structure and properties of bioactive eutectic glasses based on the Ca3(PO4)2-CaSiO3-CaMg(SiO3)2 system.

Taking into account the phase equilibrium relationships within the Ca3(PO4)2-CaSiO3-CaMg(SiO3)2 ternary system, three bioactive glasses with a eutectic composition and analogous amounts of Ca3(PO4)2 (∼40 wt.%) have been prepared. The structure of the glasses was investigated by 31P and 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The glasses exhibited thermal expansion coefficients (50-600 °C) of 11.8-13.3×10(-6) °C(-1), a glass transition temperature of 790-720 °C and a softening temperature of 811-750 °C. The mechanical properties of the glasses were as follows: bending strength ∼100 MPa, Young's modulus 94-83 GPa, Vickers microhardness 7.1-4.1 GPa and toughness 0.8 MPa m1/2. The bioactive properties were discussed in terms of their structure deduced by MAS-NMR spectroscopy and the field strength of the network modifiers (Mg2+ and Ca2+). A knowledge of the glass structure was important in predicting its bioactivity.

Isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on zirconia induce guided cell growth for dental implants.

UNLABELLED: Titanium implants are the gold standard in dentistry; however, problems such as gingival tarnishing and peri-implantitis have been reported. For zirconia to become a competitive alternative dental implant material, surface modification techniques that induce guided tissue growth must be developed. OBJECTIVES: To develop alternative surface modification techniques to promote guided tissue regeneration on zirconia materials, for applications in dental implantology. METHODS: A methodology that combined soft lithography and sol-gel chemistry was used to obtain isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates. The materials were characterized via chemical, structural, surface morphology approaches. In vitro biological behavior was evaluated in terms of early adhesion and viability/metabolic activity of human osteoblast-like cells. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA/Tukey HSD post hoc test. RESULTS: Isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates were obtained using a combined approach based on sol-gel technology and soft lithography. Micropatterned silica surfaces exhibited a biocompatible behavior, and modulated cell responses (i.e. inducing early alignment of osteoblast-like cells). After 7d of culture, the cells fully covered the top surfaces of pillar microstructured silica films. SIGNIFICANCE: The micropatterned silica films on zirconia showed a biocompatible response, and were capable of inducing guided osteoblastic cell adhesion, spreading and propagation. The results herein presented suggest that surface-modified ceramic implants via soft lithography and sol-gel chemistry could potentially be used to guide periodontal tissue regeneration, thus promoting tight tissue apposition, and avoiding gingival retraction and peri-implantitis.

In vitro study of the proliferation and growth of human bone marrow cells on apatite-wollastonite-2M glass ceramics.

This study concerns the preparation and in vitro characterization of an apatite-wollastonite-2M bioactive glass ceramic which is intended to be used for the regeneration of hard tissue (i.e. in dental and craniomaxillofacial surgery). This bioglass ceramic has been obtained by appropriate thermal treatment through the devitrification (crystallization) of a glass with a stoichiometric eutectic composition within the Ca(3)(PO(4))(2)-CaSiO(3) binary system. Crack-free specimens of the bioglass ceramic were immersed in human bone marrow cell cultures for 3, 7, 14 and 21days, in order to study biocompatibility. Cell morphology, proliferation and colonization were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. A total protein content assay was used to evaluate the viability and proliferation of cultured bone marrow cells. The results showed that the cells were able to adhere and proliferate on the designed material due to the essentiality of silicon and calcium as accessory factors for cell activity stimulation.

Devitrification studies of wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate eutectic glass.

The present paper describes and discusses the devitrification and crystallization process of wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate (W-TCP) eutectic glass. This process was studied in situ from room temperature up to 1375 degrees C, by neutron diffractometry in vacuum. The data obtained were combined and compared with those performed in ambient atmosphere by differential thermal analysis and with those of samples fired in air at selected temperatures, and then cooled down and subsequently studied by laboratory XRD and field emission scanning electron microscopy fitted with energy X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. The experimental evidence indicates that the devitrification of W-TCP eutectic glass begins at approximately 870 degrees C with the crystallization of a Ca-deficient apatite phase, followed by wollastonite-2M (CaSiO(3)) crystallization at approximately 1006 degrees C. At 1375 degrees C, the bio-glass-ceramic is composed of quasi-rounded colonies formed by a homogeneous mixture of pseudowollastonite (CaSiO(3)) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (Ca(3)(PO(4))(2)). This microstructure corresponds to irregular eutectic structures. It was also found that it is possible to obtain from the eutectic composition of the wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate binary system a wide range of bio-glass-ceramics, with different crystalline phases present, through appropriate design of thermal treatments.