Dispersion, ionic bonding and vibrational shifts in phospho-aluminosilicate glasses

Understanding the relationships between structure and properties of aluminosilicate glasses is of interest in magmatic studies as well as for glass applications as mechanical or optical components. Glass properties may be tailored by the incorporation of additional elements, and here we studied the effect of phosphate incorporation on refractive index and the degree of ionic bonding in aluminosilicate glasses. The studied glasses in the system SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-P2O5 had a metaluminous composition (Al:Na = 1) with the content of SiO2 ranging from 50 to 70 mol% and of P2O5 from 0 to 7.5 mol%. Refractive index was measured at four wavelengths from visible to near-infrared and found to decrease both with increasing P2O5 content (at the expense of NaAlO2) and with increasing SiO2 content (by substitution of SiO4 for AlO4 groups). This trend correlated with a decrease in density while, additionally, the formation of Al-O-P bonds with an SiO2-like structure may account for this change. The degree of ionic bonding, assessed via optical basicity and oxygen polarisability, decreased with increasing P2O5 and SiO2 content. Despite the complexity of the studied glasses, oxygen polarisability and optical basicity were found to follow Duffy's empirical equation for simple oxide glasses. In the high frequency infrared and Raman spectra, band shifts were observed with increasing P2O5 and SiO2 content. They indicated changing average bond strength of the glass network and showed a linear correlation with optical basicity.

Bioactive glass-ceramics containing fluorapatite, xonotlite, cuspidine and wollastonite form apatite faster than their corresponding glasses

Crystallisation of bioactive glasses has been claimed to negatively affect the ion release from bioactive glasses. Here, we compare ion release and mineralisation in Tris-HCl buffer solution for a series of glass-ceramics and their parent glasses in the system SiO2-CaO-P2O5-CaF2. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction analysis of glass-ceramic degradation, including quantification of crystal fractions by full pattern refinement, show that the glass-ceramics precipitated apatite faster than the corresponding glasses, in agreement with faster ion release from the glass-ceramics. Imaging by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray nano-computed tomography suggest that this accelerated degradation may be caused by the presence of nano-sized channels along the internal crystal/glassy matrix interfaces. In addition, the presence of crystalline fluorapatite in the glass-ceramics facilitated apatite nucleation and crystallisation during immersion. These results suggest that the popular view of bioactive glass crystallisation being a disadvantage for degradation, apatite formation and, subsequently, bioactivity may depend on the actual system study and, thus, has to be reconsidered.

Lithiated porous silicon nanowires stimulate periodontal regeneration

Periodontal disease is a significant burden for oral health, causing progressive and irreversible damage to the support structure of the tooth. This complex structure, the periodontium, is composed of interconnected soft and mineralised tissues, posing a challenge for regenerative approaches. Materials combining silicon and lithium are widely studied in periodontal regeneration, as they stimulate bone repair via silicic acid release while providing regenerative stimuli through lithium activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Yet, existing materials for combined lithium and silicon release have limited control over ion release amounts and kinetics. Porous silicon can provide controlled silicic acid release, inducing osteogenesis to support bone regeneration. Prelithiation, a strategy developed for battery technology, can introduce large, controllable amounts of lithium within porous silicon, but yields a highly reactive material, unsuitable for biomedicine. This work debuts a strategy to lithiate porous silicon nanowires (LipSiNs) which generates a biocompatible and bioresorbable material. LipSiNs incorporate lithium to between 1% and 40% of silicon content, releasing lithium and silicic acid in a tailorable fashion from days to weeks. LipSiNs combine osteogenic, cementogenic and Wnt/β-catenin stimuli to regenerate bone, cementum and periodontal ligament fibres in a murine periodontal defect.

The structural role and coordination environment of cobalt in 45P2O5-CaO-Na2O phosphate glasses: thermal properties and Raman, UV-vis-NIR, and EPR spectroscopy

Cobalt-containing materials are of interest for a wide range of applications, from biomaterials to solid-state lasers in optics. For instance, Co²⁺ is known to trigger the formation of new blood vessels, i.e. angiogenesis. Here, the use of phosphate glasses as a vehicle for local release of Co²⁺ ions is an attractive strategy to overcome the vascularisation limitation in tissue engineering. This study aimed to establish structure-property correlations as a function of the coordination environment of cobalt in 45P₂O₅-(30 - x)CaO-25Na₂O-xCoO (x: 0.01 to 10 mol%) glasses. Constant polymerization and O/P ratio, resulting ultimately in constant basicity, were shown by ICP-OES and Raman spectroscopy. The latter, combined with EPR analysis, indicated that Co²⁺ was the predominant oxidation state and the presence of Co³⁺ can be excluded. UV-vis-NIR absorption spectra showed that the ratio between Co²⁺ in four- and six-fold coordination remained constant throughout the glass series. Their thermal properties measured by DSC and heating microscopy did not change much in the substitution range studied here. The steady trend in T_g values suggests a compensation between two opposite effects caused by the presence of four and six-fold coordinated Co²⁺, both being present at a constant ratio throughout the glasses. Accordingly, the higher field strength of Co²⁺ compared to that of Ca²⁺ is expected to strengthen the glass network. In contrast, four-fold coordinated cobalt is expected to weaken the network by connecting fewer fragments of the phosphate glass network than six-fold coordinated cobalt. These results indicate that the structural properties of the glasses with constant basicity are influenced by the coordination number of Co²⁺.

Nano-imaging confirms improved apatite precipitation for high phosphate/silicate ratio bioactive glasses

Bioactive glasses convert to a biomimetic apatite when in contact with physiological solutions; however, the number and type of phases precipitating depends on glass composition and reactivity. This process is typically followed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Here, we visualise surface mineralisation in a series of sodium-free bioactive glasses, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and X-ray nano-computed tomography (nano-CT). In the glasses, the phosphate content was increased while adding stoichiometric amounts of calcium to maintain phosphate in an orthophosphate environment in the glass. Calcium fluoride was added to keep the melting temperature low. TEM brought to light the presence of phosphate clustering and nearly crystalline calcium fluoride environments in the glasses. A combination of analytical methods, including solid-state NMR, shows how with increasing phosphate content in the glass, precipitation of calcium fluoride during immersion is superseded by fluorapatite precipitation. Nano-CT gives insight into bioactive glass particle morphology after immersion, while TEM illustrates how compositional changes in the glass affect microstructure at a sub-micron to nanometre-level.

A review of in vitro cell culture testing methods for bioactive glasses and other biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration

Bioactive glasses are used to regenerate bone by a mechanism which involves surface degradation, the release of ions such as calcium, soluble silica and phosphate and the precipitation of a biomimetic apatite surface layer on the glass. One major area of bioactive glass research is the incorporation of therapeutically active ions to broaden the application range of these materials. When developing such new compositions, in vitro cell culture studies are a key part of their characterisation. However, parameters of cell culture studies vary widely, and depending on the intended use of bioactive glass compositions, different layouts, cell types and assays need to be used. The aim of this publication is to provide materials scientists, particularly those new to cell culture studies, with a tool for selecting the most appropriate assays to give insight into the properties of interest.

Unravelling the dissolution mechanism of polyphosphate glasses by 31P NMR spectroscopy: ligand competition and reactivity of intermediate complexes

Phosphate glass dissolution can be tailored via compositional and subsequent structural changes, which is of interest for biomedical applications such as therapeutic ion delivery. Here, solid-state ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance characterisation of 45P₂O₅-xCaO - (55 -x)Na₂O glasses was correlated with dissolution studies using time-dependent liquid ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and quantitative chemical analysis. Glasses dissolved congruently in aqueous media, and the first dissolution stage was the hydration of phosphate chains. In deionised water and Tris buffer (pH₀ 7.4 or 7.9), trimetaphosphate rings and orthophosphates were the predominant species in solution, indicating relatively fast degradation. By contrast, long phosphate chains were identified in EDTA (pH₀ 10.0). Besides pH differences, coordination of phosphate species by metal cations appears to play a catalytic role in the hydrolysis mechanism via turning phosphorus atoms into suitable electrophiles for the subsequent nucleophilic attack by water. Hydrolysis rates were proportional to phosphate complex stability, with stronger complexes for chains than for rings. A competition between solvent and phosphate species for the metal ion occurred in the order EDTA > Tris > deionised water.

Influence of low amounts of zinc or magnesium substitution on ion release and apatite formation of Bioglass 45S5

Magnesium and zinc ions play various key roles in the human body, being involved, among others, in skeletal development and wound healing. Zinc is also known to have antimicrobial properties. While low concentrations can stimulate cells in vitro, high concentrations of magnesium or zinc introduced into bioactive glasses significantly reduce glass degradation and ion release and inhibit apatite precipitation. On the other hand, magnesium and zinc ions improve the high temperature processing of bioactive glasses, even when present at low concentrations only. Results here show that by substituting small amounts of Mg or Zn for Ca, ion release remains high enough to allow for apatite precipitation. In addition, magnesium and zinc containing bioactive glasses are shown to be very susceptible to changes in particle size and relative surface area. For a given magnesium or zinc content in the glass, ion release and apatite formation can be enhanced dramatically by reducing the particle size, reaching comparable levels as Bioglass 45S5 of the same particle size range. Taken together, these findings suggest that when introducing these ions into bioactive glasses, ideally low Mg or Zn for Ca substitution as well as small particle sizes are used. This way, bioactive glasses combining good high temperature processing with fast ion release and apatite precipitation can be obtained, providing the potential additional benefit of releasing magnesium or zinc ions in therapeutic concentrations.

Mg or Zn for Ca substitution improves the sintering of bioglass 45S5

Bioglass 45S5 is well-known for its bioactivity, but it possesses poor sintering behaviour owing to viscous flow being inhibited by the crystallisation of sodium calcium silicate phases. Mg or Zn were partially (0, 25, 50, 75%) or fully (100%) substituted for Ca on a molar base, and thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometry) and sintering (heating microscopy, SEM and X-ray diffraction) were investigated. Here we show that sintering can be improved significantly by partial or complete substitution of Mg or Zn for Ca, owing to a pronounced decrease in crystallisation tendency. Glass transition temperature and dilatometric softening point went through minima for mixed compositions, with random mixing of Mg/Ca or Zn/Ca ions in the glass structure and the resulting effect on configurational entropy being a likely explanation. As the onset of crystallisation did not vary much with substitution, substituted glasses possessed a wider temperature range for sintering, resulting in up to 57% and 27% sample height reduction for Mg and Zn substituted glasses, respectively, compared to only 3% height reduction for Bioglass 45S5. Taken together, these results suggest that using a combination of modifiers, particularly alkaline earths or zinc, may be a promising approach for improving the sintering of Bioglass 45S5.

Effect of poly(acrylic acid) architecture on setting and mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements

OBJECTIVE

This work focuses on the influence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) architecture (linear or branched) on setting behavior and compressive strength of glass ionomer cements (GICs).

METHODS

Branched and linear poly(acrylic acid)s were synthesized according to the Strathclyde methodology or by free radical polymerization. They were characterized by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography to determine their molecular weight and size distribution. GIC setting was characterized by oscillating rheometry and time-dependent FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, compressive strength was tested on cylindrical samples (6 × 4 mm; n = 8/cement composition) after storage in deionized water at 37 °C for one day.

RESULTS

We used two different routes to prepare PAA. One direct route in order to provide straightforward access to branched PAA and a two-step approach in order to get more control about the PAA molecular weight using tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) for polymerization with subsequent deprotection. Using the second approach we obtained several linear PAA of which a mixture was used in order to mimic the molecular weight and size distribution of branched PAA. This allowed the direct comparison of properties relying only on the polymer architecture. Comparing linear PAA to branched samples in general led to faster setting but at the same time decreased the compressive strength. Increasing molecular weight of branched PAA resulted in even faster GIC setting while increasing compressive strength and this correlates well with the trends reported for linear PAA in literature. Mixing of branched and linear PAA, however, turned out to be an effective way of tailoring GIC properties.

SIGNIFICANCE

our results suggest that both molecular weight and dispersity need to be considered when choosing suitable PAA architecture for obtaining specific GIC properties.

A comparison of lithium-substituted phosphate and borate bioactive glasses for mineralised tissue repair

OBJECTIVES

Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays important roles in regeneration, particularly in hard tissues such as bone and teeth, and can be regulated by small molecule antagonists of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3); however, small molecules can be difficult to deliver clinically. Lithium (Li) is also a GSK3 antagonist and can be incorporated into bioactive glasses (BG), which can be used clinically in dental and bone repair applications and tuned to quickly release their constituent ions.

METHODS

Here, we created phosphate (P)- and borate (B)-based BG that also contained Li (LiPBG and LiBBG) and examined their ion release kinetics and the toxicity of their dissolution ions on mouse 17IA4 dental pulp cells.

RESULTS

We found that although LiPBG and LiBBG can both quickly release Li at concentrations known to regulate Wnt/β-catenin signalling, the P and B ions they concomitantly release are highly toxic to cells. Only when relatively low concentrations of LiPBG and LiBBG were placed in cell culture medium were their dissolution products non-toxic. However, at these concentrations, LiPBG and LiBBG's ability to regulate Wnt/β-catenin signalling was limited.

SIGNIFICANCE

These data suggest that identifying a BG composition that can both quickly deliver high concentrations of Li and is non-toxic remains a challenge.

High chloride content calcium silicate glasses

Chloride is known to volatilize from silicate glass melts and until now, only a limited number of studies on oxychloride silicate glasses have been reported. In this paper we have synthesized silicate glasses that retain large amounts of CaCl₂. The CaCl₂ has been added to the calcium metasilicate composition (CaO·SiO₂). Glasses were produced via a melt quench route and an average of 70% of the chloride was retained after melting. Up to 31.6 mol% CaCl₂ has been successfully incorporated into these silicate glasses without the occurrence of crystallization. ²⁹Si MAS-NMR spectra showed the silicon being present mainly as a Q² silicate species. This suggests that chloride formed Cl-Ca(n) species, rather than Si-Cl bonds. Upon increasing the CaCl₂ content, the T_g reduced markedly from 782 °C to 370 °C. Glass density and glass crystallization temperature decreased linearly with an increase in the CaCl₂ content. However, both linear regressions revealed a breakpoint at a CaCl₂ content just below 20 mol%. This might be attributed to a significant change in the structure and is also correlated with the nature of the crystallizing phases formed upon heat treatment. The glasses with less than 19.2 mol% CaCl₂ crystallized to wollastonite, whilst the compositions with CaCl₂ content equal to or greater than 19.2 mol% are thought to crystallize to CaCl₂. In practice, the crystallization of CaCl₂ could not occur until the crystallization temperature fell below the melting point of CaCl₂. The implications of the results along with the high chloride retention are discussed.

Sodium Is Not Essential for High Bioactivity of Glasses

This study aims to demonstrate that excellent bioactivity of glass can be achieved without the presence of an alkali metal component in glass composition. In vitro bioactivity of two sodium-free glasses based on the quaternary system SiO₂-P₂O₅-CaO-CaF₂ with 0 and 4.5 mol% CaF₂ content was investigated and compared with the sodium containing glasses with equivalent amount of CaF₂. The formation of apatite after immersion in Tris buffer was followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ³¹P and ¹⁹F solid state MAS-NMR. The dissolution study was completed by ion release measurements in Tris buffer. The results show that sodium free bioactive glasses formed apatite at 3 hours of immersion in Tris buffer, which is as fast as the corresponding sodium containing composition. This signifies that sodium is not an essential component in bioactive glasses and it is possible to make equally degradable bioactive glasses with or without sodium. The results presented here also emphasize the central role of the glass compositions design which is based on understanding of structural role of components and/or predicting the network connectivity of glasses.

In-vitro apatite formation capacity of a bioactive glass - containing toothpaste

OBJECTIVES

The in-vitro dissolution of bioactive glass-based toothpastes and their capacity to form apatite-like phases in buffer solutions have been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The commercial toothpaste samples were tested on immersion in artificial saliva, Earle's salt solution and Tris buffer for duration from 10min to four days. The powder samples collected at the end of the immersion were studied using solid-state ³¹P and ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The fluoride concentration in the solution remained after the immersion was measured.

RESULTS

In artificial saliva and in presence of sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP), the bioactive glass and bioactive glass-based toothpastes formed fluoridated apatite-like phases in under 10min. A small amount of apatite-like phase was detected by ³¹P NMR in the toothpaste with MFP but no bioactive glass. The toothpaste with bioactive glass but no fluoride formed an apatite-like phase as rapidly as the paste containing bioactive glass and fluoride. By contrast, apatite-like phase formation was much slower in Earle's salt solution than artificial saliva and slower than Tris buffer.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this lab-based study showed that the toothpaste with MFP and bioactive glass formed a fluoridated apatite in artificial saliva and in Tris buffer, as did the mixture of bioactive glass and MFP.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The presence of fluoride in bioactive glass-containing toothpastes can potentially lead to the formation of a fluoridated apatite, which may result in improved clinical effectiveness and durability. However, this should be further tested intra-orally.

Optimisation of lithium-substituted bioactive glasses to tailor cell response for hard tissue repair

Bioactive glasses (BG) are used clinically because they can both bond to hard tissue and release therapeutic ions that can stimulate nearby cells. Lithium has been shown to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin cell signalling pathway, which plays important roles in the formation and repair of bone and teeth. Lithium-releasing BG, therefore, have the potential to locally regulate hard tissue formation; however, their design must be tailored to induce an appropriate biological response. Here, we optimised the release of lithium from lithium-substituted BG by varying BG composition, particle size and concentration to minimise toxicity and maximise upregulation of the Wnt target gene Axin2 in in vitro cell cultures. Our results show that we can tailor lithium release from BG over a wide therapeutic and non-toxic range. Increasing the concentration of BG in cell culture medium can induce toxicity, likely due to modulations in pH. Nevertheless, at sub-toxic concentrations, lithium released from BG can upregulate the Wnt pathway in 17IA4 cells, similarly to treatment with LiCl. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ion release from lithium-substituted BG can be tailored to maximise biological response. These data may be important in the design of BG that can regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to promote hard tissue repair or regeneration.

Sodium-free mixed alkali bioactive glasses

Two sodium-free mixed alkali series of bioactive glasses based on compositions Bioglass 45S5 and ICIE1, containing lithium and/or potassium as alkali ions, were prepared by a melt-quench route. Thermal properties showed the well-known mixed alkali effect, with glass transition and crystallisation temperatures and the coefficient of thermal expansion going either through a minimum or a maximum for the mixed alkali composition, resulting in a wider processing window. Ion release, by contrast, was controlled by the modifier ionic radius, with ion release rates in dynamic and static dissolution studies increasing for potassium-substituted glasses compared to the composition containing lithium as the only alkali ion. This was caused by pronounced changes in oxygen packing density and molar volume of the glasses owing to the differences in ionic radii (76 pm for Li+ and 138 pm for K+). Partially substituting one alkali for another therefore helps to improve high temperature processing of bioactive glasses and can also be used to control or tailor ion release.

Controlling the ion release from mixed alkali bioactive glasses by varying modifier ionic radii and molar volume

Modifier ionic radius controls ion release from bioactive phospho-silicate glasses via silicate network compactness.

Bioactive glasses—structure and properties

Bioactive glasses were the first synthetic materials to show bonding to bone, and they are successfully used for bone regeneration. They can degrade in the body at a rate matching that of bone formation, and through a combination of apatite crystallization on their surface and ion release they stimulate bone cell proliferation, which results in the formation of new bone. Despite their excellent properties and although they have been in clinical use for nearly thirty years, their current range of clinical applications is still small. Latest research focuses on developing new compositions to address clinical needs, including glasses for treating osteoporosis, with antibacterial properties, or for the sintering of scaffolds with improved mechanical stability. This Review discusses how the glass structure controls the properties, and shows how a structure-based design may pave the way towards new bioactive glass implants for bone regeneration.

Dissolution behavior and cell compatibility of alkali-free MgO-CaO-SrO-TiO2-P2O5 glasses for biomedical applications

Owing to their controlled solubility, phosphate invert glasses are of interest for use as temporary implant materials or tissue engineering scaffolds for controlled ion release.MgO-CaO-SrO-TiO2-P2O5 invert glasses were prepared and their dissolution behavior and cell response were examined.MgO addition to the phosphate invert glass system improved glass formation, owing to the relatively large field strength of Mg2+ ions. In osteoblastlike MC3T3-E1 cell culture tests, cell numbers on the invert glasses were significantly larger compared with the control, possibly caused by the release of Mg2+ ions promoting enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity varied with glass composition, with higher strontium for calcium substitution (33 to 100%) showing highest ALP activity. This effect may be caused by the release of strontium ions from the glasses.

Novel Highly Degradable Chloride Containing Bioactive Glasses

Addition of CaF2 to a silicate bioactive glass favours formation of fluorapatite, which is less soluble in acidic environment than hydroxyapatite. However, excess CaF2 in the glass is problematic, owing to the formation of crystalline calcium fluoride rather than fluorapatite on immersion. In this paper we investigate chloride as an alternative to fluoride in bioactive silicate glasses and in particular their bioactivity for the first time. Meltderived bioactive glasses based on SiO2-P2O5-CaO-CaCl2 with varying CaCl2 contents were synthesised and characterised by DSC. Chemical analysis of the chloride content was performed by using an ion selective electrode. Glass density was determined using Helium Pycnometry. The glass bioactivity was investigated in Tris buffer. Ion release measurements were carried out by using ICP-OES. The chemical analysis results indicated that the majority of the chloride is retained in the Q2 type silicate glasses during synthesis. Tg and glass density reduced with increasing CaCl2 content. Apatite-like phase formation was confirmed by FITR, XRD and 31P MAS-NMR. The results of the in vitro studies demonstrated that the chloride containing bioactive glasses are highly degradable and form apatite-like phase within three hours in Tris buffer and, therefore, are certainly suitable for use in remineralising toothpastes. The dissolution rate of the glass was found to increase with CaCl2 content. Faster dissolving bioactive glasses may be attractive for more resorbable bone grafts and scaffolds.

Influence of zinc and magnesium substitution on ion release from Bioglass 45S5 at physiological and acidic pH

Ion release of Mg- and Zn-substituted Bioglass 45S5 (46.1 SiO2-2.6 P2O5-26.9 CaO-24.3Na2O; mol%; with 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of calcium replaced bymagnesium/zinc) was investigated at pH 7.4 (Tris buffer) and pH 4 (acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer) in static and dynamic dissolution experiments. Despite Mg2+ and Zn2+ having the same charge and comparable ionic radii, they influenced the dissolution behaviour in very different ways. In Tris, Mgsubstituted glasses showed similar ion release as 45S5, while Zn-substituted glasses showed negligible ion release. At low pH, however, release behaviour was similar, with all glasses releasing large percentages of ions within a few minutes. Precipitation of crystalline phases also varied, as Mg- and Zn-substitution inhibited apatite formation, and Zn-substitution resulted in formation of zinc phosphate phases at low pH. These results are relevant for glasses used in aluminium-free glass ionomer bone cements, as they show that Zn/Mg-substituted glasses release ions similarly fast as glasses containing no Zn/Mg, suggesting that these ions are no prerequisite for ionomer glasses. Zn-substituted glasses may potentially be used as controlled-release materials, which release antibacterial zinc ions when needed only, i.e. at low pH conditions (e.g. bacterial infection), but not at normal physiological pH conditions.

31P NMR characterisation of phosphate fragments during dissolution of calcium sodium phosphate glasses

Phosphate glasses in the system P₂O₅-CaO-Na₂O dissolve in aqueous solutions, and their solubility can be varied by changing the glass composition. This makes them of interest for use as controlled release materials, e.g. as degradable implants, devices for the release of trace elements or as fertilizers, but in order to tailor glass solubility to meet specific requirements, we need to further our understanding of their dissolution behaviour and mechanism. The structure of P₂O₅-CaO-Na₂O glasses (P₂O₅ between 55 and 35 mol%; glass structure analysed by ³¹P MAS NMR) changed from a network (55 mol% P₂O₅) to short chains (35 mol%) with decreasing phosphate content. Solubility in Tris buffer showed significant differences with phosphate content and glass structure; dissolution varied between 90% (50 mol% P₂O₅) and 15% (35 mol%) at 24 h. Glasses with high phosphate contents significantly lowered the pH of the solution, while glasses with low phosphate contents did not. Glasses consisting of a phosphate network dissolved by a mechanism involving P-O-P bond hydrolysis, as no Q³ groups but increasing concentrations of Q⁰ (orthophosphate) were found in solution by solution ³¹P NMR. Glasses consisting of chains, by contrast, can dissolve by hydration of entire chains, but hydrolysis also occurred, resulting in formation of Q⁰ and small ring structures. This occurrence of hydrolysis (and thus formation of P-OH groups, which can be deprotonated) caused the pH decrease and explains the variation in solution pH with structure.

Bioactivity of Sodium Free Fluoride Containing Glasses and Glass-Ceramics

The bioactivity of a series of fluoride-containing sodium-free calcium and strontium phosphosilicate glasses has been tested in vitro. Glasses with high fluoride content were partially crystallised to apatite and other fluoride-containing phases. The bioactivity study was carried out in Tris and SBF buffers, and apatite formation was monitored by XRD, FTIR and solid state NMR. Ion release in solutions has been measured using ICP-OES and fluoride-ion selective electrode. The results show that glasses with low amounts of fluoride that were initially amorphous degraded rapidly in Tris buffer and formed apatite as early as 3 h after immersion. The apatite was identified as fluorapatite by 19F MAS-NMR after 6 h of immersion. Glass degradation and apatite formation was significantly slower in SBF solution compared to Tris. On immersion of the partially crystallised glasses, the fraction of apatite increased at 3 h compared to the amount of apatite prior to the treatment. Thus, partial crystallisation of the glasses has not affected bioactivity significantly. Fast dissolution of the amorphous phase was also indicated. There was no difference in kinetics between Tris and SBF studies when the glass was partially crystallised to apatite before immersion. Two different mechanisms of apatite formation for amorphous or partially crystallised glasses are discussed.

Influence of sodium content on the properties of bioactive glasses for use in air abrasion

Air abrasion is used in minimally invasive dentistry for preparing cavities, while removing no or little sound dentine or enamel, and the use of bioactive glass (rather than alumina) as an abrasive could aid in tooth remineralization. Melt-derived bioactive glasses (SiO2-P2O5-CaO-CaF2-Na2O) with low sodium content (0 to 10 mol% Na2O in exchange for CaO) for increased hardness, high phosphate content for high bioactivity and fluoride content for release of fluoride and formation of fluorapatite were produced, and particles between 38 and 80 µm in size were used for cutting soda-lime silicate glass microscope slides and human enamel. Vickers hardness increased with decreasing Na2O content, owing to a more compact silicate network in low sodium content glasses, resulting in shorter cutting times. Cutting times using bioactive glass were significantly longer than using the alumina control (29 µm) when tested on microscope slides; however, glasses showed more comparable results when cutting human enamel. The bioactive glasses formed apatite in Tris buffer within 6 h, which was significantly faster than Bioglass® 45S5 (24 h), suggesting that the hardness of the glasses makes them suitable for air abrasion application, while their high bioactivity and fluoride content make them of interest for tooth remineralization.

Surface properties and ion release from fluoride-containing bioactive glasses promote osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in vitro

Bioactive glasses (BG) are suitable for bone regeneration applications as they bond with bone and can be tailored to release therapeutic ions. Fluoride, which is widely recognized to prevent dental caries, is efficacious in promoting bone formation and preventing osteoporosis-related fractures when administered at appropriate doses. To take advantage of these properties, we created BG incorporating increasing levels of fluoride whilst holding their silicate structure constant, and tested their effects on human osteoblasts in vitro. Our results demonstrate that, whilst cell proliferation was highest on low-fluoride-containing BG, markers for differentiation and mineralization were highest on BG with the highest fluoride contents, a likely effect of a combination of surface effects and ion release. Furthermore, osteoblasts exposed to the dissolution products of fluoride-containing BG or early doses of sodium fluoride showed increased alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for bone mineralization, suggesting that fluoride can direct osteoblast differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that BG that can release therapeutic levels of fluoride may find use in a range of bone regeneration applications.

Bactericidal strontium-releasing injectable bone cements based on bioactive glasses

Strontium-releasing injectable bone cements may have the potential to prevent implant-related infections through the bactericidal action of strontium, while enhancing bone formation in patients suffering from osteoporosis. A melt-derived bioactive glass (BG) series (SiO2–CaO–CaF2–MgO) with 0–50% of calcium substituted with strontium on a molar base were produced. By mixing glass powder, poly(acrylic acid) and water, cements were obtained which can be delivered by injection and set in situ, giving compressive strength of up to 35 MPa. Strontium release was dependent on BG composition with increasing strontium substitution resulting in higher concentrations in the medium. Bactericidal effects were tested on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis; cell counts were reduced by up to three orders of magnitude over 6 days. Results show that bactericidal action can be increased through BG strontium substitution, allowing for the design of novel antimicrobial and bone enhancing cements for use in vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for treating osteoporosis-related vertebral compression fractures.

Multi-component bioactive glasses of varying fluoride content for treating dentin hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVE

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a commonly occurring dental condition, and bioactive glasses (BG) are used in dentifrice formulations for treating DH by forming a surface layer of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) on the tooth, thereby occluding exposed dentinal tubules. Fluoride-containing BG, however, form fluorapatite, which is more stable toward acid attack, and provide a more sustainable option for treating DH.

METHODS

Melt-derived multi-component BG (SiO(2)-P(2)O(5)-CaO-CaF(2)-SrO-SrF(2)-ZnO-Na(2)O-K(2)O) with increasing CaF(2)+SrF(2) content (0-32.7 mol%) were prepared. Apatite formation, occlusion of dentinal tubules in dentin discs and ion release in Tris buffer were characterized in vitro over up to 7 days using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The fluoride-containing bioactive glasses formed apatite from as early as 6h, while the fluoride-free control did not form apatite within 7 days. The glasses successfully occluded dentinal tubules by formation of apatite crystals and released ions such as fluoride, strontium and potassium.

SIGNIFICANCE

Fluoride significantly improved apatite formation of the BG, allowing for treatment of DH by occlusion of dentinal tubules. The BG also released therapeutically active ions, such as strontium and fluoride for caries prevention, zinc for bactericidal properties and potassium, which is used as a desensitizing agent in dentifrices.

Influence of strontium for calcium substitution in bioactive glasses on degradation, ion release and apatite formation

Bioactive glasses are able to bond to bone through the formation of hydroxy-carbonate apatite in body fluids while strontium (Sr)-releasing bioactive glasses are of interest for patients suffering from osteoporosis, as Sr was shown to increase bone formation both in vitro and in vivo. A melt-derived glass series (SiO(2)-P(2)O(5)-CaO-Na(2)O) with 0-100% of calcium (Ca) replaced by Sr on a molar base was prepared. pH change, ion release and apatite formation during immersion of glass powder in simulated body fluid and Tris buffer at 37°C over up to 8 h were investigated and showed that substituting Sr for Ca increased glass dissolution and ion release, an effect owing to an expansion of the glass network caused by the larger ionic radius of Sr ions compared with Ca. Sr release increased linearly with Sr substitution, and apatite formation was enhanced significantly in the fully Sr-substituted glass, which allowed for enhanced osteoblast attachment as well as proliferation and control of osteoblast and osteoclast activity as shown previously. Studying the composition-structure-property relationship in bioactive glasses enables us to successfully design next-generation biomaterials that combine the bone regenerative properties of bioactive glasses with the release of therapeutically active Sr ions.

Predicting the glass transition temperature of bioactive glasses from their molecular chemical composition

A recently published paper (M.D. O'Donnell, Acta Biomaterialia 7 (2011) 2264-2269) suggests that it is possible to correlate the glass transition temperature (T(g)) of bioactive glasses with their molar composition, based on iterative least-squares fitting of published T(g) data. However, we show that the glass structure is an important parameter in determining T(g). Phase separation, local structural effects and components (intermediate oxides) which can switch their structural role in the glass network need to be taken into consideration, as they are likely to influence the glass transition temperature of bioactive glasses. Although the model suggested by O'Donnell works reasonably well for glasses within the composition range presented, it is oversimplified and fails for glasses outside certain compositional boundaries.

High phosphate content significantly increases apatite formation of fluoride-containing bioactive glasses

Bioactive glass-containing toothpastes for treating dentine hypersensitivity work by precipitating hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) onto the tooth surface, but concerns exist over the long-term durability of HCA in the mouth. Fluoride-containing bioactive glasses form fluorapatite (FAp) in physiological solutions, which is more chemically stable against acid attack. The influence of phosphate content on apatite formation was investigated by producing a low-phosphate (about 1 mol% P(2)O(5)) and a high-phosphate (about 6 mol%) series of melt-derived bioactive glasses in the system SiO(2)P(2)O(5)CaONa(2)O; increasing amounts of CaF(2) were added by keeping the ratio of all other components constant. pH change, ion release and apatite formation during immersion in Tris buffer at 37°C over up to 7 days were investigated. Crystal phases formed in Tris buffer were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. An increase in phosphate or fluoride content allowed for apatite formation at lower pH; fluoride enhanced apatite formation due to lower solubility of FAp compared to hydroxyapatite or HCA. High phosphate content glasses formed apatite significantly faster (within 6h) than low phosphate content glasses (within 3 days). In addition, an increase in phosphate content favoured apatite formation rather than fluorite (CaF(2)). (19)F magic angle spinning NMR showed the apatite formed by fluoride-containing glasses to be FAp, which makes these glasses of particular interest for dental applications. This study shows that by varying the phosphate content, the reactivity and apatite formation of bioactive glasses can be controlled successfully.

Nano- and micromechanical properties of dentine: Investigation of differences with tooth side

The soft zone in dentine beneath the dentino-enamel junction is thought to play an important role in tooth function, strain distribution and fracture resistance during mastication. Recently reported asymmetry in mechanical properties with tooth side may point at a basic property of tooth function. The aim of our study was to test if this asymmetry was reflected in the nano- and micromechanical properties of dentine. We investigated the mechanical properties of dentine on the buccal and lingual side of nine extracted human teeth using nano- and microindentation. Properties were analysed on the natural log scale, using maximum likelihood to estimate the parameters. Two-sided 0.05-level likelihood ratio tests were used to assess the influences of surface (buccal versus lingual) and dentine depth, measured from the DEJ in crown dentine and from the CDJ in root dentine. Results showed the well known gradual increase in mechanical properties with increasing distance from the DEJ. Coronal dentine showed higher elastic modulus and hardness on the lingual side of teeth for all measurements, while root dentine was harder on the buccal side. Due to the subtlety of these effects and the small number of teeth studied, results failed to reach statistical significance. Results suggest that dentine nano- and micromechanical properties vary with tooth side in agreement with recent literature using macroscopic methods. They also reveal that buccal-lingual ratios of hardness are in opposite directions in crown and root dentine, suggesting compensatory functions.

Tissue-specific calibration of extracellular matrix material properties by transforming growth factor-β and Runx2 in bone is required for hearing

Physical cues, such as extracellular matrix stiffness, direct cell differentiation and support tissue-specific function. Perturbation of these cues underlies diverse pathologies, including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms that establish tissue-specific material properties and link them to healthy tissue function are unknown. We show that Runx2, a key lineage-specific transcription factor, regulates the material properties of bone matrix through the same transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-responsive pathway that controls osteoblast differentiation. Deregulated TGFβ or Runx2 function compromises the distinctly hard cochlear bone matrix and causes hearing loss, as seen in human cleidocranial dysplasia. In Runx2+/⁻ mice, inhibition of TGFβ signalling rescues both the material properties of the defective matrix, and hearing. This study elucidates the unknown cause of hearing loss in cleidocranial dysplasia, and demonstrates that a molecular pathway controlling cell differentiation also defines material properties of extracellular matrix. Furthermore, our results suggest that the careful regulation of these properties is essential for healthy tissue function.

Fluoride-containing bioactive glasses: effect of glass design and structure on degradation, pH and apatite formation in simulated body fluid

Bioactive glasses are able to bond to bone through formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite in body fluids, and fluoride-releasing bioactive glasses are of interest for both orthopaedic and, in particular, dental applications for caries inhibition. Melt-derived glasses in the system SiO(2)-P(2)O(5)-CaO-Na(2)O with increasing amounts of CaF(2) were prepared by keeping network connectivity and the ratio of all other components constant. pH change, ion release and apatite formation during immersion of glass powder in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C over up to 2 weeks were investigated. Crystal phases formed in SBF were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((19)F and (31)P MAS-NMR). Results show that incorporation of fluoride resulted in a reduced pH rise in aqueous solutions compared to fluoride-free glasses and in formation of fluorapatite (FAp), which is more chemically stable than hydroxyapatite or carbonated hydroxyapatite and therefore is of interest for dental applications. However, for increasing fluoride content in the glass, fluorite (CaF(2)) was formed at the expense of FAp. Apatite formation could be favoured by increasing the phosphate content in the glass, as the release of additional phosphate into the SBF would affect supersaturation in the solution and possibly favour formation of apatite.

Variations in human DEJ scallop size with tooth type

OBJECTIVE

Recent literature suggests that the scalloped structure of the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) is critical for DEJ stability. Aim of our study was to see if there are differences in scallop size and shape with tooth type.

METHODS

Enamel of extracted permanent human teeth was demineralised using EDTA. After fixation and dehydration the scallops of the DEJ were investigated in a scanning electron microscope. Scallop area and shape (circularity) were measured for molars, premolars, canines and incisors.

RESULTS

Scallop area showed main effects for tooth type and specimen, while, due to high variability in third molars, there was also an interaction effect (repeated measures two-way ANOVA, p<0.05). Differences between tooth types were statistically significant, suggesting that posterior teeth showed larger scallops compared to anterior teeth. Differences in shape (circularity) were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that teeth which are subject to higher masticatory loads (posterior teeth) show larger and more pronounced scallops. These findings might be of interest for improving other interfaces joining dissimilar materials.

Degradable phosphate glass fiber reinforced polymer matrices: mechanical properties and cell response

The development of biodegradable materials for internal fracture fixation is of great interest, as they would both eliminate the problem of stress shielding and obviate the need for a second operation to remove fixation devices. Preliminary investigations for the production of degradable fiber reinforced polymer composite materials are detailed. Composites were produced of phosphate invert glass fibers of the glass system P(2)O(5)-CaO-MgO-Na(2)O-TiO(2), which showed a low solubility in previous work. The fibers were embedded into a matrix of a degradable organic polymer network based on methacrylate-modified oligolactide. Fracture behavior, bending strength and elastic modulus were evaluated during 3-point bending tests and the fracture surface of the composites was investigated using a scanning electron microscope. Short-term biocompatibility was tested in an FDA/EtBr viability assay using MC3T3-E1 murine pre-osteoblast cells and showed a good cell compatibility of the composite materials. Results suggested that these composite materials are biocompatible and show mechanical properties which are of interest for the production of degradable bone fixation devices.

Effect of degradation rates of resorbable phosphate invert glasses on in vitro osteoblast proliferation

Four resorbable phosphate invert glasses for use as bone replacement were synthesized in the system P2O5--CaO--MgO--Na2O. TiO2 and SiO2 were added at concentrations of 1 and 5.5 mol % to control solubility and crystallization. Both bulk glasses and samples with an open porosity of 65% and pore sizes of 150 to 400 microm were produced using a salt sintering process. Addition of TiO2 decreased the solubility in water and simulated body fluid, while the glass with addition of SiO2 showed a higher dissolution rate than did the original glass. The hypothesis that dissolution rates of the glasses will affect cell proliferation of osteoblastlike cells was tested using a MC3T3-E1.4 murine preosteoblast cell line. Cells were cultured on nonporous polished and porous glasses with tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as control. Cell proliferation was studied over 24 and 72 h in culture. Cells proliferated on all polished glasses, but proliferation on porous glasses showed variations with glass composition. Cell proliferation increased with decreased solubility of the glass. It is suggested that resorbable implant materials require the adjustment of dissolution rate so as to facilitate cell adhesion and proliferation and thus a gradual transition from artificial implant to new bone structure.

Fabrication andin vitro characterization of porous biodegradable composites based on phosphate glasses and oligolactide-containing polymer networks

Degradable porous composite materials for use as temporary bone replacement or tissue engineering scaffolds were produced using a methacrylate-modified oligolactide polymer network and phosphate invert glasses in the system P2O5-CaO-MgO-Na2O-(TiO2). Porous glasses with an open interconnective porosity were produced by a salt sintering process. Compressive strengths were significantly enhanced by polymer coating of the inner surface of the porous glasses or by fabrication of glass powder-reinforced porous polymer specimens. In vitro degradation in simulated body fluid showed a degradation pattern of the composites which could be modulated by the composition and resulting solubility of the incorporated glass phase. Cytocompatibility of the composites was investigated in a FDA/EtBr viability assay using an MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line and showed good biocompatibility of the materials in vitro.