Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Bone and Synthetic Calcium Phosphates Using Raman Spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate synthetic calcium phosphates and animal bones using Raman spectroscopy and explore the possibility of its application in characterizing newly formed bone around implants. Synthetic calcium phosphates (monobasic calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, fiber apatite, hydroxyapatite and carbonate hydroxyapatite) and animal bones (from pig, cow, rabbit with and without implants) were analyzed in this study. Slight differences in the Raman bands among the 7 types of synthetic calcium phosphate were observed. Furthermore, a 3 cm-1 difference was noted in the bands of the main PO4 3- in rabbit’s bone formed around the implant, compared to the existing bone, suggesting a difference in the molecular structure between the existing and newly formed bones.