Bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics are promising materials for both hard
and soft tissue regeneration through gene activation mechanisms triggered by their
dissolution products. This chapter presents a key property of bioactive glasses and
glass-ceramics of growing interest in materials science i.e their antibacterial activity.
The main compositions, including composites, with proven bactericidal action, were
gathered. The current understanding of compositional effects on the bacteria-killing
mechanisms is summarized as well as the main dopants used to enhance the
antibacterial activity. Finally, examples of bioactive glass-based products that have
being developed for many important applications in orthopedics are presented, such as
the treatment of osteomyelitis, coating in metallic implants, the treatment of infected
skin wounds, and also in dentistry, in the treatment of oral ailments.
Keywords: Anti-biofilm, Antibiotics, Bacteria, Bactericide material, Bioactive glass, Bioactivity, Bactericidal activity, Bioglass, Bone, Chronic infection, Diabetes, Glass-ceramic, Implant failure, Osteomyelitis, Skin burn, Staphylococcus aureus, Tissue regeneration, Wound healing.
