How to Evaluate Bioactivity of Bioactive Glasses?

Objectives: Nowadays, the original composition and manufacturing method of bioactive glasses (BAG) are modified to create mesoporous BAG, to change particles size (nano or micro-scale) or to add additives. It is necessary to characterize these type of particles, especially their bioactivity. The objectives of this systematic review are: to identify the different methodology used to quantify bioactivity, to rank the bioactivity of different bioactive glasses and to suggest the best way to compare bioactivity of other bioactive dental materials.
Methods: An electronic search was performed using PubMed database, Science direct, Web of science, Cochrane and Scopus databases by two independent reviewers. Data were collected using the equation (Dental OR tooth* OR teeth OR enamel* OR dentin* OR dentine OR cementum) AND (bioactive glass OR bioactive glasses OR bio-active glass OR nanobioactive glass OR 45S5 OR bioglass OR BAG) AND (mineralization OR mineralisation OR bioactivity) and the time interval was 1999-2019. This systematic review vas conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The following data were recorded: BAG investigated, the objective, the criteria, the method and result.
Results: On the 586 eligible papers from the initial search, 22 studies have ben find to meet the inclusion criteria and have been included.
Conclusions: The bioactivity of BAG can be evaluate in vitro: in solutions or in contact with cells by qualitative or quantitave analysis or in vivo, by histological analysis. Currently, there are only two in vivo studies. To tend to clinical situations, it is essential to develop predictive studies and to compare the bioactivity of BAG with other bioactive dental materials (Biodentine, MTA, Calcium Hydroxyde…).