3. Applications in bone defect filling and tissue engineering

Bioverre 45S5 has been implanted in over a million patients since its discovery. The first clinical applications were in animals, to repair bone defects in the jaws of dogs in particular. A few years later, applications were extended to humans, including orthopedics and inner ear bone replacement. In the latter application, the ease with which the material can be molded and/or machined makes it possible to produce small parts with a very good surface finish. Considering the remarkable properties of this material and its derivatives, it is fair to say that its potential is not being fully exploited by surgeons today.

GlaxoSmithKline's most important commercial success to date, under the name NovaMin ^® , has been the marketing of a toothpaste to reduce tooth sensitivity, containing bioactive glass particles.