Development of carbonate apatite as artificial bone substitute

Carbonate apatite (CO₃Ap) that contains 6-9 wt% carbonate in apatitic structure is the composition of human bone. Unfortunately, CO₃Ap cannot be sintered due to the presence of CO₃. CO₃Ap block was found to be fabricated based on a compositional transformation though dissolution-precipitation reaction using a precursor such as calcite block. CO₃Ap block thus fabricated up-regulate the differentiation of osteoblastic cells and resorbed by the osteoclasts. As results of these response to cells, CO₃Ap block demonstrate much better osteoconductivity than hydroxyapatite [HAp: Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂)] which is currently used artificial bone substitute. Also, CO₃Ap block was found to be replace to new bone similar to autograft even though HAp would not replace to bone. Clinical trial of CO₃Ap is now in progress, and CO₃Ap will be available for its clinical use next year.