Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(A)
(B)
(C)
P
< 0.05
P
< 0.05
P
< 0.05
150
***
***
150
300
***
100
100
200
50
50
100
0
0
0
After 75 h
After 75 h
After 1 week
FIGURE 15.7
Cell viability, cell proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity. A significant increase in cell viability, cell
proliferation, and ALP activity was observed in the presence of bioactive glass nanoparticles when compared
with the control group.
Another study examined the behavior of cementoblasts in contact with the bioactive glass nano-
particles, and it also demonstrated an increase in cell viability and proliferation
[79]
. Together,
these results show that the bioactive glass nanoparticles are capable of inducing cell proliferation of
periodontal ligament, especially cementoblast, indicating that it is a potential material for use in
periodontal tissue regeneration by tissue engineering (
Figure 15.8
).
15.6
Bioactive glass nanocomposites
The combination of biodegradable polymers and bioactive ceramic creates a new type of material
for tissue engineering applications. The association of ceramic and polymeric materials has been
used to produce composites in order to create materials with special properties that do not exist in
the isolated materials. The aim of these composite materials is to improve strength and bioactivity
given by the inorganic component while maintaining the polymer properties such as flexibility.
However, to maximize interaction between the components of the composite, increasing the number
of surfaces and interfaces is required. From this observation arose the concept of development of
nanocomposites.
The particle size of the inorganic phase is an important parameter that affects the mechanical
properties of composite materials. The introduction of filler materials at the nanoscale usually
increases the strength and stiffness of composites, as compared with the properties of the pure poly-
mer or composites.
Nanocomposites can be developed by several ways: (i) a combination of polymers and inorganic
phase, (ii) a combination of functionalized copolymers and an inorganic phase, (iii) a precipitation
of nanoparticles in the polymer phase, among others.
