BIOCERAMICS IN ENDODONTICS – A REVIEW

Bioceramics are materials which include Alumina,Zirconia, Bioactive glass, Glass ceramics, Hydroxyapatite,resorbable Calcium phosphates, among others. They havebeen used in dentistry for filling up bony defects, rootrepair materials, apical fill materials, perforation sealing,as endodontic sealers and as aids in regeneration. Theyhave certain advantages like biocompatibility, non toxicity,dimensional stability and most importantly in endodonticapplications, being bio-inert. They have a similarity toHydroxyapatite, an intrinsic osteo conductive activity andhave an ability to induce regenerative responses in thehuman body. In Endodontics, they can be broadly classifiedinto Calcium Phosphate/ Tricalcium/ Hydroxyapatite based,Calcium Silicate based or mixtures of Calcium Silicateand Phosphates. This review focuses on an overview ofBioceramics, classification and their advantages. It alsogives a detailed insight into individual bioceramic materialscurrently used in the fields of Endodontics along with theirproperties and applications.