Octacalcium phosphate bone substitute materials: Comparison between properties of biomaterials and other calcium phosphate materials

Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) is a material that can be converted to hydroxyapatite (HA) under physiological environments and is considered a mineral precursor to bone apatite crystals. The structure of OCP consists of apatite layers stacked alternately with hydrated layers, and closely resembles the structure of HA. The performance of OCP as a bone substitute differs from that of HA materials in terms of their osteoconductivity and biodegradability. OCP manifests a cellular phagocytic response through osteoclast-like cells similar to that exhibited by the biodegradable material beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). The use of OCP for human cranial bone defects involves using its granule or composite form with one of the natural polymers, viz., the reconstituted collagen. This review article discusses the differences and similarities in these calcium phosphate (Ca-P)-based materials from the viewpoint of the structure and their material chemistry, and attempts to elucidate why Ca-P materials, particularly OCP, display unique osteoconductive property.