Types of ceramics: material class

This chapter presents an exhaustive description of the various ceramic and glass materials used in biomedical applications. Active oxides like calcium phosphates, carbonates, and sulfates are largely described as monocomponents and in combination with other inorganic or organic materials for bone regeneration but also as drug delivery systems. For dental and orthopedic prosthesis devices, besides the presentation of the commercial products based on bioinert oxides and related composites, the tendencies nowadays to develop new oxide compositions, silicon nitride and carbide ceramics allowing both strengthening and toughening with better durability are well highlighted. The synthesis and the bioreactive properties of bioglasses and bioactive glass ceramics are also deeply developed. Special attention is given to glass-ionomer cements used as injectable materials. The chapter ends with the recent development of magnetic bioceramics and bioglasses allowing cancer curing by hyperthermia or favoring the osteoinduction phenomenon.