Materials Science Forum, Vol.426-4, 3037-3042, 2003
Relationships between processing and in-vitro dissolution of calcium-based bioceramics
A novel protocol that measures the weight loss of bone void filler ceramics as a function of time in a buffered solution at pH 4.0 to mimic the acidic environment generated during bone resorption was presented. The protocol was designed to produce continuous and full dissolution of the samples by allowing the ceramic materials to dissolve without reaching their respective solubility limits. This protocol was used to compare the effect of material (calcium sulfate vs. beta-tricalcium phosphate) and processing parameters (sintering cycle) on in-vitro dissolution behavior of shaned granules used as bone void filler material. Preliminary results showed that the calcium sulfate granules dissolved faster than beta-tricalcium phosphate granules. High sintering temperatures resulted in slower dissolution of the beta-tricalcium phosphate granules possibly due to reduced microporosity. In-vitro dissolution may be used to design bone substitute materials with in-vivo resorption rates tailored to maximize the quality of the new bone formed.