Editorial: Inorganic Biomaterials.

The intention of the editors A. R. Boccaccini and W. Höland has been to target this e-book to a broad readership and at the same time to present scientific contributions sufficiently detailed which discuss various specific fundamental aspects of inorganic biomaterials and their biomedical and dental applications. In this context, two large categories of biomaterials need to be mentioned, namely bioactive biomaterials for the replacement and regeneration of hard tissue and biocompatible, non-bioactive biomaterials for restorative dentistry. Both categories include products based on glasses or glass-ceramics as well as organic-inorganic composite materials. Among the bioactive products, BIOGLASS®, developed in the late 1960s by Prof. Dr. L. L. Hench, occupies a prominent position, being BIOGLASS® the first man-made material shown to form strong and functional bonding to leaving tissue. Sadly, Prof. Hench passed away in December 2015, at the time this e-book was being completed, it is therefore a great honor for the editors to dedicate this e-book to his memory. Indeed the book contains a comprehensive review written by Prof. Hench, in collaboration with Prof. J. R. Jones (UK), which provides a timely overview of the development and applications of bioactive glasses, including a discussion on the remaining challenges in the field. Further bioactive materials have been developed over the years by leading scientists such as Prof. Kokubo (Japan). These materials have also found their way into this book. The other contributions in this book, written by worldwide recognized experts in the field, present the latest advances in relevant areas such as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, metallic ion releasing systems, cements, bioactive glass–polymer coatings, composites for bone regeneration, and effect of porosity on cellular response to bioceramics. In addition to bioactive materials, inorganic systems for restorative dentistry are also discussed in this e-book. Biomaterials for dental restorations consist of glassy or crystalline phases. Glass-ceramics represent a special group of inorganic biomaterials for dental restorations. Glass-ceramics are composed of at least one inorganic glassy phase and at least one crystalline phase. These products demonstrate a combination of properties, which include excellent aesthetics and the ability to mimic the optical properties of natural teeth, as well as high strength and toughness. They can be processed using special processing procedures, e.g. machining, moulding and sintering, to fabricate high quality products. The editors would like to extend their gratitude to the Frontiers team in Lausanne, Switzerland, for their outstanding dedication to make possible the publication of this e-book in a timely manner. It is our wish that the book will contribute to expand the field of inorganic biomaterials, both in terms of fundamental knowledge and applications, and that the book will be useful not only to established researchers but also to the increasing number of young scientists starting their careers in the field of inorganic biomaterials

Sintered glass-ceramics for dental applications

Sintered glass-ceramics are very important to the development of biomaterials for restorative dentistry. The following systems have shown to be particularly suitable: SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Κ₂O (leucite), SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Κ₂O-CaO-P₂O₅-F (leucite,apatite), SiO₂-Al₂O₃-CaO-P₂O₅-F (apatite), Li₂O-SiO₂ (lithiumdisilicate) and SiO₂-P₂O₅-Li₂O-ZrO₂ (ZrO₂ crystals). The principles involved in developing materials of this kind and the applications of these materials will be shown in the following survey

Correlation between clinical performance and degree of conversion of resin cements: a literature review

AbstractResin-based cements have been frequently employed in clinical practice to lute indirect restorations. However, there are numerous factors that may compromise the clinical performance of those cements. The aim of this literature review is to present and discuss some of the clinical factors that may affect the performance of current resin-based luting systems. Resin cements may have three different curing mechanisms: chemical curing, photo curing or a combination of both. Chemically cured systems are recommended to be used under opaque or thick restorations, due to the reduced access of the light. Photo-cured cements are mainly indicated for translucent veneers, due to the possibility of light transmission through the restoration. Dual-cured are more versatile systems and, theoretically, can be used in either situation, since the presence of both curing mechanisms might guarantee a high degree of conversion (DC) under every condition. However, it has been demonstrated that clinical procedures and characteristics of the materials may have many different implications in the DC of currently available resin cements, affecting their mechanical properties, bond strength to the substrate and the esthetic results of the restoration. Factors such as curing mechanism, choice of adhesive system, indirect restorative material and light-curing device may affect the degree of conversion of the cement and, therefore, have an effect on the clinical performance of resin-based cements. Specific measures are to be taken to ensure a higher DC of the luting system to be used

PHASE SEPARATION BEHAVIOUR OF SPECIAL BASE GLASSES - A CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOACTIVE GLASS CERAMICS

La description du processus de séparation de phases dans les verres des systèmes CaO-SiO2-P2O5 et MgO-Al2O3-Na2O/ K2O-F-CaO-P2O5 est une condition préliminaire au développement de céramiques vitreuses bioactives. Une méthode de contrôle totalement nouvelle de la cristallisation d'un verre phosphaté pur, sans séparation de phase, a été mise au point, sur la base d'une élimination automatique du phénomène de sursaturation.The discribed phase separation process inglasses of the system CaO-SiO2-P2O5 and MgO-Al2O3 -SiO2-Na2 O/K2O-F-CaO-P2O5 is a precondition of all development of bioactive glass ceramics. A completely different way of controlled crystallization in a pure phosphate glass without phase separation has been found by a spontaneous elimination of supersaturation

Crystallisation of SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-gel glasses

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