Bioceramics: Applications of Ceramic and Glass Materials in Medicine

The purpose of this monograph is to provide a concise, up-to-date reference on these important biomaterials. Engineered materials play a critical role in modern biomedical applications, and crystalline ceramics (as well as the chemically-related, non-crystalline glasses) are finding increasingly wide uses. Topics covered include: a brief historical perspective on the application of ceramics and glasses to medicine, bone as a ceramic composite material, applications of glass materials and related glass-ceramics, the use of surface-reactive materials, and a review of the current status of, and future trends in, the use of bioceramics. Some of the researchers in this field have together created an blend of specific research results and general surveys of recent advances. This book should therefore be of interest to anyone working, or hoping to work, with bioceramics.