In vitro characterization / degradation of two bioglasses used as synthetic alloplasts for bone grafting

The objective of this study was to physico/chemically characterize a commercially available and a newly developed Bioglass and also to evaluate their degradation properties. Materials and Method: Two bioresorbable glasses were utilized, a bioglass synthesized at Chemical Engineering College (University of São Paulo, Lorena, São Paulo) (BG1), and the other bioglass utilized was Biogran (BG2) (3i Implant Innovations, Brazil). Particles size distribution histograms were developed for both materials, and then they were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 30, 60, and 90 days. Results: The particle size distribution showed that the mean particle diameters at 10%, 50%, and 90% of the total volume were 17.65, 66.18, and 114.71 μm for BG1, and 354.54, 437.5, 525.00 μm for BG2. SEM images of BG1 showed that the as-received material had a rough surface and as the time of degradation elapsed, this surface became smooth. The images of BG2 showed that the as-received material also had a rough surface, and after immersion in SBF, the material's crystalline content/morphology could be observed. The X-ray diffraction recorded that BG1 showed a silica peak, not seen at BG2. FTIR revealed that both bioglasses were of similar composition, except for the CO₃-carbonate minor peak, present at the BG2 sample. Conclusions: 1. The particle size distribution showed a polydispersed pattern for both materials. 2. The material suffered degradation, and the decomposition increased as a function of immersion in SBF. 3. Both bioglasses had similar composition.