Evaluation of the behaviour of fluorine-containing bioactive glasses: reactivity in a simulated body fluid solution assisted by multivariate data analysis.

Potentially bioactive fluorine-containing glasses of formula 46.2SiO(2)·24.3Na(2)O·(26.9-x)CaO·2.6P(2)O(5)·xCaF(2) [x = (0), 5, 10, 15] have been studied: the study was carried out as a function of fluorine percentage, dimensions and time of soaking in SBF. The results are compared to those obtained in the same conditions for Bioglass(®) 45S5. Due to the high number and different kind of variables/conditions explored by this set of data, the results are rationalized for the first time by means of multivariate data analysis (MDA); in this way it is possible to classify the behaviour of bioglasses toward bioactivity. The presence of fluorine does not inhibit the formation of HA; in particular, for a fast bioactivity (in term of HA crystallization) it will be better to have large particle size or slabs, while for a fast dissolution fine particle sizes should be preferred.