A polymer-salt composite for replacement of bone defects

Hydroxyapatite-collagen and fluorohydroxyapatite-collagen composite materials are synthesized using directed diffusion of ions from solutions on collagen fibers. Computer tomography indicates that the salt component is rather uniformly distributed over the organic matrix. According to the electron microscopic data, the composite materials involve salt nanocrystals (less than 1 μm in size), which are uniformly distributed between collagen fibers. The chemical analysis has revealed that fluorohydroxyapatite with the stoichiometric ratio Ca/P = 1.67 is formed only in the case where the content of fluoride ions in the system amounts to 0.1 mol/l. The clinical trials have demonstrated that the presence of fluoride ions in the apatite structure suppresses osteoclasts and provides a combined more positive clinical effect as compared to other materials.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]