This title gives an overview of composites and biocomposites. It discusses the history of CaPO4/ /polymer biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials, as well as analyzing the latest developments in the field. It also covers bioactivity and biodegradation of CaPO4-based biomaterials.

This title gives an overview of composites and biocomposites. It discusses the history of CaPO4/ /polymer biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials, as well as analyzing the latest developments in the field. It also covers bioactivity and biodegradation of CaPO4-based biomaterials.

Due to a great chemical similarity with the biological calcified tissues, many calcium orthophosphates possess remarkable biocompatibility and bioactivity. Materials scientists use this property extensively to construct artificial bone grafts that are either entirely made of or only surface-coated with the biologically relevant calcium orthophosphates. Porous scaffolds made of calcium orthophosphates are very promising tools for tissue engineering applications. A comprehensive overview of calcium orthophosphates, this book highlights their importance and biomedical uses.

In this book, the state-of-the-art of calcium orthophosphate-based biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials suitable for biomedical applications is presented. This subject belongs to a rapidly expanding area of science and research because these types of biomaterials offer many significant and exciting possibilities for hard tissue regeneration. Through the successful combination of the desired properties of matrix materials with those of fillers (in such systems, calcium orthophosphates might play either role), innovative bone graft biomaterials can be designed. The book starts with an introduction to locate the reader. Further, general information on composites and hybrid materials, including a brief description of their major constituents are presented. Various types of calcium orthophosphate-based bone-analogue biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials, those are either already in use or being investigated for various biomedical applications are then extensively discussed. Many different formulations in terms of the material constituents, fabrication technologies, structural and bioactive properties, as well as both in vitro and in vivo characteristics have already been proposed. Among the others, the nano-structurally controlled biocomposites, those with nano-sized calcium orthophosphates, biomimetically-fabricated formulations with collagen, chitin and/or gelatin, as well as various functionally graded structures seem to be the most promising candidates for clinical applications. The specific advantages of using calcium orthophosphate-based biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials in the selected applications are highlighted. As the way from a laboratory to a hospital is a long one and the prospective biomedical candidates have to meet many different necessities, the critical issues and scientific challenges that require further research and development have been examined as well.

As the inorganic constituents of skeletons, dentine and the enamel of teeth in all vertebrates, as well as antlers of male deer, calcium orthophosphates (CaPO4) appear to be the key materials to sustain all life on Earth. Therefore, biologically relevant CaPO4 possess all the necessary features of the biomaterials, such as biocompatibility, bioactivity, bioresorbability, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and appear to be non-toxic, non-inflammatory and non-immunogenic. In this book, the author presents current state-of-the-art applications of CaPO4 as biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials, self-setting formulations, as well as the workings of their dissolution mechanism. Topics discussed include the major constituents of biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials for bone grafting, preparation, properties and the available knowledge on interactions among the phases for various types of CaPO4-based biocomposites. Additionally, the major types, preparation, properties and the available knowledge on the reinforced formulations for various types of self-setting CaPO4-based compositions, followed by the detailed description of their biomedical applications and in vivo behaviour are discussed. The comprehensive description of currently available dissolution mechanisms of calcium apatites in acids, followed by the successful attempt to create the general dissolution mechanism is given in the last section of this book.

As the inorganic constituents of skeletons, dentine and the enamel of teeth in all vertebrates, as well as antlers of male deer, calcium orthophosphates (CaPO4) appear to be the key materials to sustain all life on Earth. Therefore, biologically relevant CaPO4 possess all the necessary features of the biomaterials, such as biocompatibility, bioactivity, bioresorbability, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and appear to be non-toxic, non-inflammatory and non-immunogenic. In this book, the author presents current state-of-the-art applications of CaPO4 as bioceramics, deposits (coatings, films and layers) and in dentistry. Topics discussed include chemical composition and preparation, forming and shaping, sintering and firing for CaPO4-based bioceramics, chemical composition and preparation, pre- and post-deposition treatments for CaPO4-based deposits, followed by the detailed description of their major properties, biomedical applications and in vivo behavior. The detailed description of current CaPO4 applications in dentistry both for dental caries prevention and as various types of dental treatments is given in the last section of this book.