Ceramic Biomaterials (Bioceramics)

The class of ceramics used for repair and replacement of diseased

and damaged parts of the musculoskeletal system are referred to
as bioceramics.

OBJECTIVES
▪ to examine chemical/physical properties of ceramics
▪ to introduce the use of ceramics as biomaterials

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Ceramics
(keramikos- pottery in Greek)

Ceramics are refractory polycrystalline compounds

▪ Usually inorganic
▪ Highly inert
▪ Hard and brittle
▪ High compressive strength
▪ Generally good electric and thermal insulators
▪ Good aesthetic appearance

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Structure
Ceramic Structure: AmXn

ZnS

A: metal, +ve
CsCl NaCl
X: nonmetal,
-ve

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Types of Ceramics

nearly bioinert

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Inert Ceramics: Aluminum Oxides (Alumina)

Applications
• orthopaedics:
• femoral head
• bone screws and plates
• porous coatings for femoral stems
• porous spacers (specifically in
revision surgery)
• knee prosthesis
• dental: crowns and bridges

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Alumina
Inertness:
▪ advantage is that it makes material more
biocompatible

▪ disadvantage:
• nonadherent fibrous membrane at the interface.
• interfacial failure can occur, leading to implant
loosening

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Inert Ceramics: Zirconia, ZrO2

zirconium; named from the Arabic, zargun = gold color

Fabrication:
• Obtained from the mineral zircon
• Addition of MgO, CaO, CeO, or Y2O3 stabilize
tetragonal crystal structure (e.g. 97 mol%ZrO2 and
3 mol%Y2O3)
• Usually hot-pressed or hot isostatically pressed

Applications:
• orthopaedics: femoral head, artificial knee, bone
screws and plates, favored over UHMWPE due to
superior wear resistance
• dental: crowns and bridges

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Biodegradable Ceramics: Calcium Phosphates

Almost all bioresorbable ceramics are variations of calcium

phosphate

Uses
• repair material for bone damaged trauma or disease
• void filling after resection of bone tumours
• repair and fusion of vertebrae
• repair of herniated disks
• repair of maxillofacial and dental defects
• ocular implants
• drug-delivery

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Biodegradable Ceramics: Calcium Phosphate

▪ Structure resembles bone mineral; thus used for bone replacement

▪ Coating of metal implants to promote bone ingrowth
▪ Different forms exist depending on Ca/P ratio, presence of water,
impurities and temperature

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Bioactive Ceramics: Glass Ceramics
Bioactive: capable of direct chemical bonding with the host
biological tissue

Glass:
• an inorganic melt cooled to solid form without crystallization
• an amorphous solid
• possesses short range atomic order ➔ BRITTLE!

Glass-ceramic is a polycrystalline solid prepared by controlled

crystallization of glass ➔ LESS BRITTLE

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Bioactive Ceramics: Glass ceramics

SiO2

C
A

CaO Na2O
A: Bonding within 30 days
B: Nonbonding, reactivity too low
C: Nonbonding, reactivity too high
D: Bonding
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Classification based on tissue attachment

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Mechanical Properties

B. Amsden CHEE 340 13