Processing methods of solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic compositions and methods of using the same

A method for treating a solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic to remove organic residuals and/or impurities from the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic, comprising:

• applying to the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic at least one treatment after the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic has undergone aging and drying steps of a solgel method, the at least one treatment is selected from:
• (i) a low temperature heat treatment comprising heating the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic to a treatment temperature at or below 550° C. and holding the treatment temperature for the remainder of a heat treatment period;
• (ii) a stepwise low temperature heat treatment comprising stepwise heating the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic to at least a first treatment temperature at or below about 550° C.;
• (iii) an ultraviolet (UV) light treatment;
• (iv) a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) treatment;
• (v) freeze drying or lyophilization;
• or
• (vi) an oxidation process;
• wherein the at least one treatment (i) through (vi) results in the removal of at least 5% of organic residuals and/or impurities from the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic, while maintaining the pore structure of the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic;
• and
• wherein any combination of treatments (i) through (vi) results in a synergistic removal of organic residuals and/or impurities from the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic;
• wherein the solgel-derived bioactive glass-ceramic comprises 45% SiO2, 6% P2O5, 24.5% CaO, and 24.5% Na2O;
• and
• wherein the at least one treatment (i) through (vi) is for a time period of from about 5 to about 7 days or longer.