The concept of bioactivity and the bone bonding behavior of bioactive calcium phosphate ceramics and glasses of was first described in the 1970ies. As a result, the foundational discovery of bioactive glasses and ceramics shifted orthopedic and oral surgery away from inert bone replacement materials. Early research demonstrated that these materials could chemically bond with living bone tissue due to their surface reactivity, stimulating direct osteogenesis rather than merely filling voids. In the 1990 major progress was made in elucidating the underlying mechanisms such as the ionic dissolution, surface transformation and related serum protein adsorption events. In the following decades further insight was gained into the cell adhesion and intracellular signaling events which lead to the enhancement effect on bone cell function and bone formation. Taken together, scientists mapped out the sequence of ionic dissolution and surface transformation events (such as calcium deficient carbonated hydroxyapatite layer formation) at the bone-bioactive glass or ceramic interface, subsequent serum protein adsorption, cell adhesion and intracellular signaling cascades. These pathways were shown to enhance osteoblast differentiation, stimulate angiogenesis (blood vessel formation), and encourage neural ingrowth. This gain of knowledge prompted the creation of novel bioactive ceramics and glasses taking among others advantage of the beneficial effects of silicon and magnesium ion release. As a result, modern bioactive ceramics leverage specific trace elements to optimize cellular responses. The incorporation of therapeutic ions—notably silicon (Si) and magnesium (Mg)—has been shown to accelerate bone mineralization, upregulate bone-related genes, and improve the overall biological performance of bioactive glasses and ceramics. Furthermore, a variety of application forms moving beyond granules were created such as putties, cements and 3D printed scaffolds for a range of surgical and clinical applications. The recent advances in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques have revolutionized the development and fabrication of patient-specific bioceramic scaffolds allowing for advanced pore designs and custom geometries, that is patient-specific bioceramic scaffolds designed from medical imaging data to fit complex critical-size bone defects precisely. This is in addition to composite engineering by combining bioactive glasses or ceramics with biodegradable polymers to achieve mechanical properties that closely mimic native trabecular bone while maintaining high porosity for cell infiltration and vascularization. Regeneration of bone using different bone substitutes and scaffolds has successfully reduced the reliance on invasive autologous bone harvesting (which carries donor-site morbidity) and extensive open grafting procedures. Ongoing research in this domain focuses heavily on bridging the gap between fundamental research and predictable translational outcomes in reconstructive surgery, implant dentistry, maxillofacial reconstruction, and orthopedic trauma.

This Special Issue will feature current research related to bioceramic bone substitutes and 3D printed scaffolds ranging from fundamental to preclinical and translational studies by presenting both cutting edge original research articles and selected review articles on the subject by experts in the field (Conference paper submissions are permitted for this Special Issue). These papers will highlight not only what is current knowledge with respect to bioactivity and currently the state-of-the art, but help point the field in a clear direction for future investigation.

 

Conference: Bioceramics 36 (36th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine)

Conference web: www.bioceramics36.com

October 6–9, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.