Nanohydroxyapatite and Bioactive Glass Composites in Bone Regeneration: A Systematic Review

Bone tissue engineering is a pillar of regenerative medicine; traditional bone autografts, allografts, and metallic implants face difficulties due to donor site morbidity, risks of infection, and poor integration with the host bone. Nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) has become a popular synthetic tissue-engineered approach, although its brittleness and low fracture toughness limit its applications. This systematic review explores nHA-bioactive glass composites (HAGNs) as promising solutions for bone regeneration, analyzing their biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and mechanical properties. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across multiple databases from January 2000 to February 2024, using MeSH terms related to hydroxyapatite (HA), glass nanoparticles, and bone regeneration. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles reporting outcomes relevant to bone healing or tissue engineering using HA glass nanoparticles. The search yielded 57 records, with 15 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after screening and selection. These studies explored various fabrication methods and consolidation techniques for nHA-based scaffolds, highlighting their improved biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and potential for bone regeneration. Limitations involved long drying periods, the need for specific consolidation conditions, and more studies to confirm long-term performance. Findings underscored the importance of preserving key properties of nHA, such as low crystallinity and nanoscale dimensions, to mimic natural bone tissue effectively. nHA and bioactive glass composites show significant potential in bone tissue engineering. They offer the combination of biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and mechanical strength necessary for effective bone regeneration. Further research is needed to facilitate the clinical translation of these biomaterials.