Synthetic bone graft substitutes: Calcium-based biomaterials

TLDR: In this paper, the main characteristics and the potential of synthetic bone graft substitutes based on calcium for dental applications are described, and the current and novel strategies based on ion doping, surface functionalization, and additive manufacturing are discussed.

Abstract: This chapter describes the main characteristics and the potential of synthetic bone graft substitutes based on calcium for dental applications. Aspects such as the composition, structure, and processing routes of the different families of materials are reviewed to give the reader a general overview of the different materials. Particular attention will be given to calcium phosphates due to the close chemical resemblance of these materials to the mineral phase of bone. Other families such as calcium sulfates, calcium carbonates, and calcium-containing bioactive glasses are also discussed. The chapter places particular attention on the current and novel strategies based on ion doping (to mimic mineral bone composition), surface functionalization (to mimic the extracellular matrix), and additive manufacturing (to make highly porous yet mechanically stable scaffolds) in the fabrication of the next generation of materials to help accelerate tissue healing and improve bone growth at impaired sites.