Glass ceramics

Glass ceramics are polycrystalline materials produced through the controlled crystallization of base glasses, widely recognized for their bioactivity and biocompatibility in medical applications (Hench, 2006). Unlike traditional therapeutic targets such as receptors or enzymes, glass ceramics are biomaterials used to create scaffolds and implants that bond chemically with living bone and soft tissues (Jones, 2013). Their biological function is primarily mediated by the formation of a surface hydroxyapatite layer, which facilitates osteoconduction and osseointegration (Montazerian & Zanotto, 2016). In clinical practice, they are extensively used for bone grafting, middle ear surgery, and restorative dentistry, including the production of high-strength dental crowns (Cao & Hench, 1996). While they do not serve as targets for pharmacological agents, they can be engineered to release therapeutic ions or act as carriers for localized drug delivery to promote healing (Boccaccini et al., 2010). Their primary role is to provide a stable, bioactive scaffold that integrates with host tissue rather than modulating a specific biochemical pathway.

Other names

Bioactive glass-ceramicsBioceramicsGlass-ceramic biomaterialsA-W glass-ceramic

Not applicable as a drug target; functions as a bioactive scaffold for bone growth and tissue integration through the formation of a surface hydroxyapatite layer.