Papers by Keyword: Tricalcium Phosphate

Abstract: Calcium phosphate powders (hydroxyapatite, α-tricalcium phosphate, β-tricalcium phosphate, and tetracalcium phosphate) were electrically polarized by an applied dc voltage. Thermally stimulated depolarization current measurements confirmed that each calcium phosphate powder exhibited surface charges after polarization treatment. The surface adsorption of simvastatin on each powder was investigated. We observed a difference in adsorption between polarized and non-polarized powders. This difference in adsorption is due to the electrostatic force between the polarized surface and the open-ring form of simvastatin, which has a larger electrical polarity than its closed-ring form.

Abstract: Carbonate apatite showed an excellent bioresorbability through the remodeling process of bone. In the present study, we prepared self-setting carbonate apatite cement based on α-TCP. We tried two types of the cement powder formulations, that is, first one (F1) is α-TCP containing given amounts (10 to 50 mass%) of synthesized carbonate apatite and second one (F2) is α-TCP treated in 0.5M NaHCO₃ for various times between 90 and 360 min. The cement powder was mixed with 0.25M Na₂HPO₄ to allow set at 37°C and 100% of relative humidity up to 1 day. XRD and FT-IR results showed formation of B-type carbonate apatite phase after setting in both of the formulations. With the formulation, F1, the carbonate content was increased with the treatment time and the maximum content was 4.1 mass%. DTS deacreased with the amount of cabonate apatite in the formulation, F1, however, it increased up to 9 MPa with treatment time in the formulation, F2.

Abstract: Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics are useful biodegradable bone-repairing materials. Silicate-containing TCP ceramics are expected to be useful as biodegradable bone-repairing materials which promote the bone regeneration because it has been reported that the silicate promotes bone formation. In the present study, silicate-containing TCP ceramics were prepared through a wet chemical process at the starting compositions from 0 to 0.05 in the Si/(P+Si) molar ratio. The prepared silicate-containing TCP ceramics were characterized and evaluated in vitro. The crystal phase of the products was α-TCP, and the tendency that the lattice constants linearly shifted from 0 to 0.05 in the starting Si/(P+Si) molar ratio was observed. It is speculated that the added silicate was incorporated in the crystal structure of TCP. The pellets were prepared by a sintering process, and soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF) to estimate their bone-bonding ability. The addition of silicate to TCP promoted to hydroxyapatite formation on the TCP ceramics in SBF. This result implies the high possibility that the silicate addition would promote the bone-bonding ability of the TCP ceramics.

Abstract: Tooth enamel cannot be reconstructed once it is destroyed immoderately. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) thin sheet can potentially be used for a novel dental biomaterial to repair the enamel. Using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, we have successfully created a flexible HAp sheet of less than a few micrometers in thickness. Due to its flexibility, the HAp sheet is tightly adhered on curved surfaces at the target site. In the present study, we newly developed double-layered sheets composed of HAp film coated with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) thin layer. The HAp/TCP sheet was adhered to the extracted human teeth using a calcium phosphate solution for 3 days. The adhesive strength between the HAp/TCP sheet and tooth enamel was evaluated by quasi-static tensile tests. Moreover, the interface structure between them was observed by a scanning electron microscopy. As a result of the mechanical evaluation, the adhesive strength was greater than approximately 2.5 MPa. The electron microscopic observation revealed that the sheet was partially fused with the enamel. These findings suggest the possibility that enamel defects are repaired using the HAp/TCP sheet for a short duration.

Abstract: An application of calcium phosphates is as bone cements, among which the system based on alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) exhibits excellent properties. The aim of this study is to analyze pH evolution and cytotoxicity of α-TCP cement with three different additives. Changes on the pH were measured at intervals of 12h during seven days. But initial measurements were executed at each 15 minutes. Indirect cytotoxicity test was performed according to ISO (10993-5, 1992) employing CHO-k1 cells and RPMI 1640 as culture medium. It was used a colorimetric method which uses the tetrazolium compound. The additives used on the liquid phase were disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) and/or citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) and/or tannic acid (C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆). The results indicate that the cement without additives does not have requirements to be applied like bone cement, while the other cements composition exhibit different responses in the pH and the cytotoxicity test. In conclusion, due to the presence of additives it was possible to control pH evolution during setting and cytotoxic response. However, further investigation is necessary in order to determine the influence of these additives, mainly tannic acid, on the in vivo behavior of these bone cements.

Abstract: Among the calcium phosphate cements, the system based on alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) combines several interesting properties. However, these cements have their use limited to low load applications. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of three different additives on the setting reaction kinetics and mechanical strength evolution of calcium phosphate cements as a function of time. The cement was obtained by mixing α-TCP powder with four different aqueous solutions containing or not containing disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄), citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) and/or tannic acid (C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆). It was observed that two cement samples, one of them containing Na₂HPO₄ and C₆H₈O₇ and another containing Na₂HPO₄ and C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆ in the liquid phase, presented faster setting reaction and higher mechanical properties. These cements are more suitable for application as bone cement.

Abstract: Clinoptilolite mineral which is a member of zeolite family has been recently used in medical and dental applications. Until today, it has never been used as a graft material. In the present study tricalcium phosphate (TCP) imbued 90-95% pure clinoptilolite was used as graft in rabbit tibia. General anesthesia was accomplished using intra muscular (IM) injections of Xylazin and Ketamine HCL. TCP imbued clinoptilolite was placed in the defects created in the tibias of the subjects. Control group defects were left empty. One group was sacrificed on day 28 and the other group on day 56 to evaluate osteogenesis, residual graft material, inflammation and fibrosis. Histological evaluation revealed new bone formation at 28 days to be 14/7 at control group where as its 11/7 for the experimental graft group. At 56 days the values are as 18/7 for control and 14/7 for the experimental graft groups (n = 7). Our study group is the first to perform intrabony application of clinoptilolite. No evidence of abnormal inflammatory cell formation or fibrosis was witnessed in groups. When TCP, which can be used as a standalone graft material, was mixed with zeolite it was not as effective as expected. We believe that, TCP particles are absorbed and captivated in the initial phase and due to absorption strength of zeolite cannot be released back to the environment. We assume its effect can increase with longer time periods. Bone formation without infection is observed around graft particles. Based on the present study, since clinoptilolite does not provoke an inflammatory process, its use in unison with TCP can provide a supporting structure in defects.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate cement that foams fully-interconnected porous structure along with its gradual replacement to bone may be ideal for bone defect reconstruction. In the present study, α-tricalcium phosphate (αTCP) microspheres were exposed to acidic calcium phosphate solution. It was found that the αTCP microspheres set in approximately 10 min to form fully-interconnected porous structure. The porosity was approximately 50% and the pore size was 300µm. The surface of the porous body was dicalcium phosphate dihydrate whereas the inside was αTCP.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite scaffolds have been being produced by a wide range of processes. The optimun material to be used as bone graft has to be partially resorbable, with resorption rates similar to new bone formation ones. The samples must have porosity compatible with tissue ingrowth. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate ceramics are good choices for designing such materials. In the present study, polymeric sponges were coated with hydroxyapatite and sintered. The method consists of coating polyurethane sponges substrates in an aqueous solution rich in phosphate (PO₄)^3- and calcium (Ca)²⁺ ions. The solution is composed by 0.5M Ca(OH)₂, 0.3M H₃PO₄ and 1M CH₃CHCO₂HOH (lactic acid) at pH of 3.7. The sponges were immersed in a beaker with the solution and heated up to 80°C to precipitate monetite on the sponge. Continuous and adherent coatings were formed on the surface of sponges interconections. These coatings were characterised by X-ray diffractometry and the only identified phase was monetite. The substrates were converted to hydroxyapatite in an alkali solution.The total conversion from monetite to hydroxyapatite was confirmed by XRD analyses. The struts were heat treated in order to eliminate the organic sponge and sinter the scaffolds. After sintering, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate were identified on the struts. Optical microscopy revealed the morphology of the struts, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the precipitates morphology. The method showed to be efficient in the production of porous scaffolds.

Abstract: Calcium phosphates (CaPs): hydroxyapatite (HA) and TCP are common biomaterials used in orthopedic, dental and maxillofacial surgery as bone fillers and also as drug carriers. Studies of the β→α TCP transformation and formation of mono-, bi- or three-phase CaPs materials: βTCP-αTCP-HA are of principal importance. Stability of calcium phosphate ceramics depends on many factors. Our dynamic studies by high temperature XRD measurements showed that monoclinic αTCP was a considerably stable phase after its creation completed at 1200°C. Different phase composition was obtained in technological conditions.