Information About

Hydroxyapatite




The name ''apatite'' derives from a Greek ''apatao'' - "I am misleading" in allusion to its confusion with similar appearing Gemstone s. Hydroxyapatite is a commonly used synonym.


MEDICAL USES

Hydroxylapatite can be used as a filler to replace amputated bone or as a coating to promote bone ingrowth into Prosthetic implants. Although many other Phase s exist with similar or even identical chemical makeup, the body responds much differently to them. Coral skeletons can be transformed into hydroxylapatite by high temperatures; their porous structure allows relatively rapid ingrowth at the expense of initial mechanical strength. The high temperature also burns away any organic molecules such as Protein s, preventing Host Vs. Graft disease.


EXTERNAL LINKS



REFERENCE

  • Wopenka, B. and J.D. Pasteris, A mineralogical perspective on the apatite in bone. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 25(2): 131, 2005