Hydroxyapatite is a mineral found in teeth and bones, consisting of calcium, phosphate, and hydroxide. It makes up to 50% of bone and contributes to enamel’s strength. Deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, but it is used in medical implants and to slow bone loss.
Calcium hydroxyapatite, or simply hydroxyapatite, is a mineral that belongs to a group of phosphate minerals known as apatites. It is usually identified with the teeth and bones of humans. In fact, this mineral is a main component of these structures.
Although calcium and phosphate are two of the main elements that make up calcium hydroxyapatite, a third element is hydroxide. It consists of a hydrogen atom bonded with oxygen in a chemical bond that involves sharing electrons with each other. It is the hydrogen atom that gives this mineral its distinction within the apatite group. For example, other apatites such as fluorapatite or chlorapatite can be formed if hydrogen is replaced by fluoride or chloride, respectively.
Calcium hydroxyapatite is known to form up to 50 percent of the bone in the human anatomy. Here, it functions as an inorganic compound called bone mineral, or bone apatite. In teeth, hydroxyapatite can be found in the enamel and overlying calcified dentin; These are two of the four main tissues of the teeth. Those found in bones and teeth have a crystallized form that lends itself to the rigidity of these structures. In fact, it contributes to enamel being the strongest and most mineralized component of the human body.
Therefore, a lack of calcium hydroxyapatite, or calcium, can lead to the development of certain diseases. A good example is osteoporosis, in which the risk of bone fracture increases with loss of bone mineral density (BMD). However, in hydroxyapatite crystal disease, inflammation occurs when crystallized clumps of the mineral accidentally go to the wrong areas of the skeletal system, such as joints. The inflammation affects not only this area, but also the surrounding ligaments and tendons.
Calcium hydroxyapatite is often used by doctors to solve bone related problems for patients. It can be used as an amputee bone replacement. In fact, some medical researchers have suggested that artificial implants made of this substance can be fused with living bone, completely restoring the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the structure. This process is known as osseointegration.
Therefore, calcium hydroxyapatite has been used to coat bone and promote fusion of the bone with the artificial parts. This application is most commonly associated with dental implants and hip replacements. For people suffering from calcium deficiency, particularly people who are at risk of developing or having osteoporosis, microcrystalline hydroxylapatite (MH) is promoted to slow bone loss. In some quarters, it is considered better than calcium carbonate for this purpose.
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