Magnesium-containing bioactive polycrystalline silicate-based ceramics and glass-ceramics for biomedical applications

•There is a growing need for materials with superior properties for bone regeneration.•Mg-containing silicate (glass-)ceramics exhibit various advantages for this purpose.•Nano-proccessing of these materials can lead to superior properties.•This paper reviews synthesis methods, properties and applications of these materials. With improvement of orthopaedic technologies for bone replacement and regeneration, there is an increasing need for materials with superior properties. Mg-containing silicate ceramics and glass-ceramics have been shown to be bioactive and exhibit various advantages for biomedical applications. This review paper is intended to summarize and discuss the most relevant studies carried out in the field of Mg-containing bioactive silicate ceramics and glass-ceramics.