ABSTRACT
The progress of nanotechnology has opened the path for the development of new biomaterials. Recent developments have demonstrated that sol-gel bioceramics play an important role in the biomedical field due to their superior biological and mechanical properties. Various methodologies are being used for the preparation of bioceramics, such as the hydrothermal technique, precipitation technique, electrodeposition technique, biomimetic deposition technique, and sol-gel approach. Recently, much attention of the scientists has been drawn to the fundamental research and applications of the sol-gel technique due to its well-known characteristic advantages in generating glass, ceramics, and glass ceramics. This chapter discusses the biomedical application of sol-gel-based bioceramics. Silica-based sol-gel coatings have been used in laser therapy for the production of fiber optic applicators. Sol-gel glasses exhibit a higher percentage of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) formation and bioactivity index. This is accredited to an enhanced release of soluble silica that agglomerates HCA crystals in the pores of the gel-glass.
