ABSTRACT
Due to superior biomechanical properties, various types of ceramics were studied as prospective bone transplants in the late 1960s. The term bioceramics were coined to describe these synthetic biomaterials. Since then, numerous significant accomplishments have been made in this area. Bioceramics are recognized for low frictional coefficient, oxidation resistance, excellent stiffness, and wear resistance. These uniquely constructed biomaterials fall into two categories: natural bioceramics (e.g., fishbone, silica from sponges) and synthetic bioceramics, namely, resorbable ceramics (e.g., CaPs-based ceramics), bioactive ceramics (e.g., bioactive glasses), and bioinert ceramics (e.g., Al2O3, ZrO2). Bioceramics, which are utilized to design and develop scaffolds of properties for the regeneration, reconstruction, restoration, and repair of injured body parts, have a significant potential for imitating the structure of original calcified tissue. Research has been carried out to utilize bioceramics in cancer therapy, drug delivery, dentistry, ophthalmology, and so on. This chapter provides an overview of bioceramics; fundamental concepts, historical background, and various classifications are discussed. Furthermore, a detailed picture of biological, mechanical, and physicochemical characteristics of bioceramics, as well as recent developments of bioceramics in the domain of bone tissue engineering, dentistry, ophthalmology, and drug delivery, is also presented.
