Calcium phosphate cements for medical applications

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) used for medical applications. The hardening mechanism and the two types of CPCs apatite and brushite, are discussed. A description of the main properties (and testing methods) of CPCs such as setting time, cohesion time, mechanical properties and injectability and different strategies adopted to improve them are reported. The chapter includes a description of the preparation steps of a typical cement before implantation in the bone defect and some examples of current medical applications and limitations of CPCs.