Introduction
A ceramic is an inorganic non-metallic material composed of metal or non-metal components that are manufactured and subsequently hardened at high temperatures. Since they are utilized daily, high-tech ceramics have generally been connected with medical devices. Traditional ceramics are made of clay, whereas high-performance or advanced ceramics are made of a far larger spectrum of non-metal inorganic materials. Strength, hardness, longevity, and toughness are all characteristics of advanced ceramics. However, ceramics are divided into different types: bioinert ceramics, bioactive ceramics, and bioresorbable coatings.
Bioinert ceramics have been extensively used in healthcare devices to repair or recover the performance of degraded or injured body organs. Some examples of Bioinert ceramics are alumina, zirconia, and titania. Bioactive ceramics are ceramics that are intended to stimulate particular biological processes to restore damaged organs. Bioglass, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate are classified as bioactive ceramics. Research by Salinas et al. (2019) explains that when bioresorbable coatings come into touch with bones, they break down and create a new bone. One of the most typical instances is tricalcium phosphate, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, and gypsum. However, ceramics have various uses in medical fields, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Uses of ceramics
Ceramics are used in a broad range of medical tools and techniques available, and these applications are constantly changing as new technologies arise. According to Salinas et al. (2019), bio-ceramics are ceramics for the human body and are generally utilized for medical implants, either as bulk components or as coatings or replacements. As reported by Salinas et al. (2019), ceramics are commonly used in hip and knee replacements in the medical field. Ceramics are being explored for replacements because of their high stiffness, minimum frictional force, and wear and chemical resistance.
Dental ceramics, which include orthodontic tools, prostheses, and implants, are another essential application of ceramic materials. According to Piconi and Sprio (2021), when compared to traditional metal goods, ceramics provide better cosmetic outcomes, since they can be designed to match the tooth’s natural color. Piconi and Sprio (2021) indicate that ceramic materials offer superior osseointegration than titanium and are being developed to minimize infection and degradation, notably through nanoparticles when it comes to dental implants. Alumina materials are commonly utilized in cardiac valve replacement due to their small weight, wear resistance, and compatibility with blood (Salinas et al., 2019). Moreover, the rapid use of ceramics has greatly improved medical field technology.
Advantages of Ceramics
Ceramics have many benefits that make them ideal for implant and replacement applications. These materials are unreactive in the human body, and their toughness and resistance to damage make them useful for bone and tooth replacement, as discussed by Salinas et al. (2019). They have a high compressive strength, which helps health and dental implants function well in wear and corrosion resistance. According to Mocanu et al. (2021), some ceramics have excellent friction resistance, making them more suitable as replacement materials for failing joints.
Ceramics’ key advantages are their strength and resistance to fatigue deterioration. According to Salinas et al. (2019), they have shape memory and can be sanitized easily before use. Ceramics are more durable than metals, resist corrosion better, and withstand bodily fluids (Mocanu et al., 2021). All of this assists to lower the chances of the implant loosening and requiring revision. They are compatible with tissues and long-lasting, making them suitable for covering structures such as prosthetic heart valves.
Disadvantages of Ceramics
The main disadvantage of ceramics is their fragility and inability to deform plastically. These characteristics have been minimized to some extent, but they continue to be the predominant cause of ceramic component failure, which can limit bone ingrowth. Implants can loosen and become dislodged with time, according to Radunovic et al. (2021). Composites have a high manufacturing cost, which is a limitation, and their shape, which is difficult to adjust (Radunovic et al., 2021). The biodegradable nature of ceramics is another downside, as they might leach owing to the intense interface with the body, resulting in wear and tear.
Ceramics can also absorb essential nutrients and water from the bloodstream. Another drawback is that metal can corrode in the body due to chemical reactions with enzymes and acids, resulting in metal ion toxicity. Bioceramics have poor mechanical strength and are fragile when employed alone, making them insufficient for many applications (Radunovic et al., 2021). Bioceramics take a long time to make and lack an organic phase, making it difficult to rely on them.
Conclusion
The ceramics industry is transforming, with many applications now being investigated. Ceramics will undoubtedly be possible to be used in a vast number of interesting medical applications as their bioactivity, hardness, and lifespan continue to improve. Ceramics research and development have demonstrated that this one-of-a-kind treatment procedure produces plenty of benefits that make it ideal for modern medicine. Despite the limits of ceramics, these applications are based on strong compressive strengths, high impact resistance, low frictional force, and high wear and damage resistance. Ceramics’ particular qualities suggest that they are destined to become a leader in replacing other well-established implants and replacements in a wide range of current and future medical uses.
References
Mocanu, H., Mocanu, A., Drăgoi, A., & Rădulescu, M. (2021). Long‑term histological results of ossicular chain reconstruction using bioceramic implants. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 21(3).
Piconi, C., & Sprio, S. (2021). Oxide Bioceramic Composites in Orthopedics and Dentistry. Journal of Composites Science, 5(8), 206.
Radunovic, A., Popovic, Z., Radunovic, O., & Vulovic, M. (2021). 14 Complications of utilizing ceramic components in orthopedic surgery. Advanced Ceramics and Applications, 173-178.
Salinas, A., Esbrit, P., & Vallet-Regí, M. (2019). A tissue engineering approach based on the use of bioceramics for bone repair. Biomater. Sci., 1(1), 40-51.