Controlled crystallization were carried out to convert some selected bioglasses to their corresponding bioglass-ceramics. Nucleation and crystallization regimes were carried out by parameters obtained from diloatometric measurement and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The formed crystalline phases were identified using X-ray diffraction investigation. Complete surface analyses were performed utilizing scanning electron microscopy. Also, the infrared reflection spectroscopy of the bioglass-ceramics were measured before and after immersion for prolonged times in simulated body fluid and the results were compared with the same behavior for the parent bioglasses. Experimental results indicate the formation of two main crystalline phases of sodium calcium silicate beside three other crystalline phases formed according to the change in the bioglass composition, namely, calcium sodium borate, calcium phosphate and calcium silicate. The bioactivity rate determined by the infrared reflection spectroscopy revealed slight retardation with the bioglass-ceramics except in the bioglasses containing high SiO2 content. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.