A short note on bioglass in Periodontics

Bone augmentation grafts may act as space-maintaining devices to allow coronal migration of periodontal progenitor cells. The ideal bone replacement graft should be able to trigger osteogenesis, cementogenesis and formation of a functional periodontal ligament. It has been theorized that bioactive glass, which is a ceramic has bioactive properties that guide and promote osteogenesis allowing rapid formation of bone. Bioactive glass consists of sodium and calcium salts, phosphates and silicon dioxide for dental applications. When this material comes into contact with tissue fluids, the surface of the particles becomes coated with hydroxy carbonate apatite, incorporates organic ground proteins such as chondroitin sulfate and glycosaminoglycans and attracts osteoblasts that rapidly form bone.