Microwave synthesis, characterization and in-vitro evaluation of nanostructured biphasic calcium phosphates

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and p-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) represent the main types of calcium phosphates used for bone and dental surgery. HA is thermodynamically the most stable phase in physiological conditions and has the ability for direct chemical bonding to bone while beta-TCP is found to be resorbable in-vivo with new bone growth replacing the implanted beta-TCP. The bioactivity and bioresorbability of the biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics can be controlled by varying HA/beta-TCP ratio. Nanostructured calcium phosphates promote osseointegration, which is critical for the clinical success of orthopedic/dental implants. The present study demonstrates the preparation of nanostructured BCP ceramics by microwave processing. Since the physiological stability is, important parameter while selecting the material for implantation, the in-vitro dissolution Studies of BCPs with different HA/beta-TCP ratios were carried out under the conditions of osteoclastic resorption. The results suggest the dissolution of the BCP ceramics can be fine-tuned by varying the HA/beta-TCP ratios. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.