Bioactivity of Glass and Its Relation to Glass Structure*

K. H. Karlsson

Department of Chemical Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Åbo, 20500 Finland

Abstract—The paper discusses the factors influencing the formation of a chemical bond between a glass and
a living tissue. Glasses that possess this property are called bioactive and are characterized by forming a gel
when implanted in the body. In order to be bioactive, this gel should have a surface consisting mainly of Q¹
units. These units form complexes with phosphate ions and act as sites for apatite growth. Depolymerized Q⁰
units may activate the formation of a bond between the glass and the bone.

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