From benchtop to bedside: Precision-engineered bioactive glass-based implants revolutionizing bone defect reconstruction

Bioactive glass, a cutting-edge material for artificial bone, has shown significant potential in bone tissue regeneration and repair. It possesses excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity. The multifunctionality of bioactive glass materials is attributed to advances in composition optimization, structural design, and preparation techniques. Ion-doped and chemically modified bioactive glasses not only enhance bone regeneration but also demonstrate antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and drug-delivery capabilities. Doping with metal ions such as Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ce, among others, contributes to these multifunctional properties. Chemical modifications, including composites with artificial bone materials, the addition of polysaccharides and proteins, or the integration of hydrogels, further expand its biomedical potential. This review provides an overview of the development of bioactive glass in bone regeneration. It begins by discussing composition classification and design strategies, followed by the mechanisms through which bioactive glass supports bone regeneration. Further detailed exploration of the mechanisms of bone repair, focuses on the regulation of the local microenvironment, promotion of osteogenesis, and enhancement of angiogenesis. The review then explores its applications in treating bone defects caused by factors such as fractures, infections, osteoporosis and bone tumors. Finally, it looks ahead to the future of bioactive glass, highlighting its potential for personalized, intelligent, and multifunctional applications. With interdisciplinary research, bioactive glass is expected to bridge basic research and clinical use, becoming a key material in bone tissue repair and regenerative medicine, offering safer and more efficient solutions in precision medicine.