Advances in clinical applications of bioceramics in the new regenerative medicine era

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the hard and soft tissue applications of different ceramic-based scaffolds prepared by different mechanisms such as 3D printing, sol-gel, and electrospinning. The new concept of regenerative medicine relies on biomaterials that can trigger in situ tissue regeneration and stem cell recruitment at the defect site. A large percentage of these biomaterials is ceramic-based as they provide the essential requirements of biomaterial principles such as tailored multisize porosity, antibacterial properties, and angiogenic properties. All these previously mentioned properties put bioceramics on top of the hierarchy of biomaterials utilized to stimulate tissue regeneration in soft and hard tissue wounds. Multiple clinical applications registered the use of these materials in triggering soft tissue regeneration in healthy and diabetic patients such as bioactive glass nanofibers. The results were promising and opened new frontiers for utilizing these materials on a larger scale. The same results were mentioned when using different forms and formulas of bioceramics in hard defect regeneration. Some bioceramics were used in combination with other polymers and biological scaffolds to improve their regenerative and mechanical properties. All this progress will enable a larger scale of patients to receive such services with ease and decrease the financial burden on the government.

Keywords: Regenerative medicine; Bioceramics; Chronic wounds; Bone defects; Clinical applications

Core Tip: Some of the most common types of bioceramics used in regenerative medicine are solid prosthesis parts, bone-filling granules, metal prosthesis coatings, injectable bone cement, nanofibers, and porous scaffolds. Bioceramics can be bioactive (like bioactive glass) or resorbable ceramics (like β- and α-tricalcium phosphate, new forms of hydroxyapatite, and bioactive glass). This depends on the tissue's reaction to the grafted biomaterial. Bioactive and bioresorbable scaffolds form a stable bond and are gradually replaced with natural tissues. In this editorial, we discuss some clinical applications of bioceramics and the challenges that need suitable solutions.