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Abstract
A glass–ceramic composition has been studied to realise a highly bioactive material, suitable for stimulate the bone regeneration, which has been subjected to a patented ion exchange process with silver ions, to impart antibacterial properties. The obtained material has been characterised by SEM, EDS and XRD analyses, before and after the introduction of Ag+ ions, and has been subjected to mechanical tests. Ag+ release was verified by GF-AAS analysis. The influence of silver on material wettability and bioactivity was evaluated through contact angle measurements and in vitro test on SBF solution. Finally, biocompatibility with osteoblast like cells and antibacterial test on Staphylococcus Aureus, have been realised to demonstrate the effective antimicrobial behaviour and the safety of silver doped glass–ceramic. On the basis of this study, it was evinced that ion exchange technique, optimised on glasses in previous research works, allows the controlled introduction of Ag+ ions and can be transferred on medical devices totally or partially realised with bioactive glass–ceramic.