Amorphous calcium phosphate, the lack of order is an abundance of possibilities
Lorenzo Degli Esposti, Michele Iafisco
Abstract
For almost three decades from its discovery, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was not considered a suitable biomaterial due to its structural instability. Thanks to its unique properties in respect to crystalline calcium phosphate phases, nowadays ACP is used in promising devices for hard tissue regeneration. Here we have highlighted the features of ACP that were harnessed to create excellent biomaterials for dental remineralization, self-setting bone cements, drug delivery, and coatings of prostheses. Its current limitations as well as future perspectives of development were concisely described. Despite more research works are needed, we envisage that the future of ACP is bright.
Topics & Concepts
Amorphous calcium phosphateCalciumBiomaterialHard tissueNanotechnologyMaterials scienceRemineralisationAmorphous solidPhosphateDrug deliveryDentistryChemistryBiochemistryMedicineMetallurgyComposite materialOrganic chemistryEnamel paintBone Tissue Engineering MaterialsDental materials and restorationsDental Implant Techniques and Outcomes