Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating wounds to significantly reduce the healing time, reduce the incidence of scar formation, improve the success of skin grafts, reduce the inflammatory response and providing anti-bacterial treatments to a patient in need thereof, that include small non-interlinked particles of bioactive glass or highly porous bioactive glass, are disclosed. Anti-bacterial solutions derived from bioactive glass, and methods of preparation and use thereof, are also disclosed. The compositions include non-interlinked particles of bioactive glass, alone or in combination with anti-bacterial agents and/or anti-inflammatory agents. The compositions can include an appropriate carrier for topical administration. Anti-bacterial properties can be imparted to implanted materials, such as prosthetic implants, sutures, stents, screws, plates, tubes, and the like, by incorporating small bioactive glass particles or porous bioactive glass into or onto the implanted materials.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for systemically minimizing the inflammatory effects of TNF-&agr; are disclosed. The compositions include particles of bioactive glass with a particle size less than about 20 &mgr;m, alone or in combination with anti-inflammatory agents and other therapeutic agents. The compositions can include an appropriate carrier for oral, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous administration. When administered to a patient, the particles bring about elevated levels of IL-6 and do not cause elevated levels of TNF-&agr;.

Abstract: Methods for whitening teeth including contacting teeth with an effective amount of particulate bioactive glass are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel silica based bioactive glass composition that can be used in conjunction with a delivery agent such as a toothpaste, gel saliva, etc. having a particle size range <90 &mgr;m which will form a rapid and continuous reaction with body fluids due to the immediate and long term ionic release of Ca and P from the core silica particles, to produce a stable crystalline hydroxy carbonate apatite layer deposited onto and into the dentin tubules for the immediate and long term reduction of dentin hypersensitivity.

Abstract: Percutaneous implants are disclosed including a portion implantable into a patient, a dermal bonding region capable of forming a bond between the implant and a dermal layer of the patient after the implantable portion is implanted into the patient, and the dermal bonding region including a substrate with a discontinuous coating of particulate bioactive glass wherein the average spacing between the particles of bioactive glass is predetermined and at least about 20 microns prior to implantation into the patient. Also disclosed are bioactive coatings including a substrate and fibers and/or particles of bioactive glass distributed on the substrate with a predetermined average interfiber distance of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: A process for making bioactive glasses is described including preparing a reaction mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel, aging the reaction mixture, near equilibrium drying a gel resulting from the reaction mixture, and heating the -near equilibrium-dried gel described. Also described are near equilibrium-dried bioactive glass compositions.

Abstract: A novel silica based bioactive glass composition that can be used in conjunction with a delivery agent such as a toothpaste, gel, etc. having a particle size range <90 .mu.gm which will form a rapid and continuous reaction with body fluids due to the immediate and long term ionic release of Ca and P from the core silica particles, to produce a stable crystalline hydroxy carbonate apatite layer deposited onto and into the dentin tubules for the immediate and long term reduction of dentin hypersensitivity and tooth surface remineralization.

Abstract: A process for making bioactive glasses is described including preparing a reaction mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel, aging the reaction mixture, near equilibrium drying a gel resulting from the reaction mixture, and heating the near equilibrium-dried gel described. Also described are near equilibrium-dried bioactive glass compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a synthetic bone replacement material impregnated with drugs such as antibiotics and growth hormones, which facilitate and promote the regeneration of bone and/or soft tissue. Methods for making the impregnated material and its medical use are also taught.

Abstract: A process for making bioactive glasses is described including preparing a reaction mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel, aging the reaction mixture, near equilibrium drying a gel resulting from the reaction mixture, and heating the -near equilibrium-dried gel described. Also described are near equilibrium-dried bioactive glass compositions.