1306-06-5

Occurrence

Occurs in nature as the minerals: oxydapatit, voelicherite, whitlockite.

Uses

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a highly significant bioceramic with diverse biomedical applications, primarily in orthopedics and dentistry. It is widely used in the medical field due to its excellent biocompatibility and structural similarity to natural bone mineral. The synthesis of hydroxyapatite can be achieved through various methods, including wet-chemical processes, solid-state reactions, and hydrothermal treatment. Hydroxyapatite has a unit cell composed of two triangular prismatic subcells that form a rhombic prism with vertical sides. It exhibits horizontal mirror planes at specific OH- levels along the c-axis and a center of inversion at the center of each vertical face of each subcell.

Preparation

The technical product is also known as “bone ash.” Commercial preparation from phosphate rock.

Definition

The major constituent of bone and tooth mineral. It is finely divided, crystalline, nonstoichiometric material rich in surface ions (carbonate, magnesium, citrate), which are readily replaced by fluoride ion, thus affording protection to the teeth.

Brand name

Alveograf (Sterling Winthrop); Periograf (Sterling Winthrop).

Flammability and Explosibility

Notclassified

Pharmaceutical Applications

Modified hydroxylapatite, also frequently called hydroxyapatite and better known as bone mineral, makes up ～50% of our bones. Hydroxylapatite is a natural form of the mineral calcium apatite, whose formula is usually denoted as Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. Modifications of hydroxylapatite can also be found in the teeth, and a chemically identical substance is often used as filler for replacement of bones, and so on. Nevertheless, despite similar or identical chemical compositions, the response of the body to these compounds can be quite different.