Integrated 3D Information for Custom-Made Bone Grafts: Focus on Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Substitute Biomaterials

Purpose: Several studies showed that the sintering temperature of 1250 degrees C could affect the formation of alpha-Ca-3(PO4)(2), which is responsible for the reduction of the hardness value of biphasic calcium phosphate biocomposites, but they did not evaluate the inference of the sintering time at peak temperature on transition of beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2)to alpha-Ca-3(PO4)(2). This analysis explored, in an innovative way, inferences and correlations between volumetric microstructure, mechanical properties, sintering temperature, and time at peak temperature in order to find the best sintering conditions for biphasic calcium phosphate composites grafted in severe alveolar bone defects. Methods: Sintered biphasic calcium phosphates (30%-hydroxyapatite/70%-tricalcium phosphate) were tested by microCT imaging for the 3D morphometric analysis, by compressive loading to find their mechanical parameters, and by X-ray diffraction to quantify the phases via Rietveld refinement for different sintering temperatures and times at the peak temperature. Data were analysed in terms of statistical inference using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: All the studied scaffolds closely mimicked the alveolar organization of the jawbone, independently on the sintering temperatures and times; however, mechanical testing revealed that the group with peak temperature, which lasted for 2 hours at 1250 degrees C, showed the highest strength both at the ultimate point and at fracture point. Conclusion: The good mechanical performances of the group with peak temperature, which lasted for 2 hours at 1250 degrees C, is most likely due to the absence of the alpha-Ca-3(PO4)(2)phase, as revealed by X-ray diffraction. However, we detected its presence after sintering at the same peak temperature for longer times, showing the time-dependence, combined with the temperature-dependence, of the beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2)to alpha-Ca-3(PO4)(2)transition.