Applications of bioactive glasses for implants in the ear

Bioactive glasses (BAGs) have shown remarkable outcomes for clinical applications in the skull. Among the several craniofacial districts, the surface chemical reactivity of BAGs has made them intriguing options in otology to retrieve structural integrity after invasive surgery and thus recover hearing performance. This chapter aims at looking over the main applications of BAGs in the ear, specifically, in mastoid obliteration, posterior meatal wall reconstruction, and ossicular chain replacements, and broadly in the otorhinolaryngological surgery. This chapter therefore discusses the use of the main classes of BAGs, starting from their physicochemical and biological properties up to the outcomes reported after their employment in clinical settings. Finally, we conclude with a summary of the main take-away messages and a future outlook in the otologic field, including three-dimensional (3D) printing strategies.