1) Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University
2) Section of Bioengineering, Department of Dental Engineering, Fukuoka Dental College

Abstract

In this study, effect of phosphate solution on setting reaction of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) spheres was investigated by employing three phosphate solutions: 0.2 mol/L Na2HPO4, 0.2 mol/L NaH2PO4 and 0.2 mol/L MCPM-0.1 mol/L H3PO4 solution. For the basic study on setting property, two alpha-TCP spheres were placed together then reacted to different phosphate solutions at 37oC for 10 minutes. When mixed with 0.2 mol/L MCPM-0.1 mol/L H3PO4 solution, two alpha-TCP spheres can be set to form brushite crystals at the interface while they show no reactivity with Na2HPO4 or NaH2PO4 solution. In order to investigate the setting mechanism between alpha-TCP spheres, set two-sphere specimens were evaluated in terms of crystal structure and surface morphology. Thus, it was concluded that the reaction between alpha-TCP spheres and 0.2 mol/L MCPM-0.1 mol/L H3PO4 solution resulted in forming of brushite crystals on the surface of alpha-TCP sphere and the interlocking of brushite crystals is the setting mechanism between alpha-TCP spheres. This study shows the feasibility to fabricate interconnected porous cement which mimics the morphology of natural bone by connecting many alpha-TCP spheres together.

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