Resorbable synthetic bone grafts formed from a silicon stabilized calcium phosphate bioceramic

Synthetic bone grafts resistant to random dissolution. at physiological pH, yet capable of being gradually resorbed in vitro by osteoclasts have been created. Bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings formed from an additive stabilized colloidal sol possess two characteristic features: a phase mixture of calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) and a silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate, and a microporous morphology based on inter-connected particles (0.2-1.0 mu m). The characteristic phase composition arises during sintering through substitution reactions where silicon enters the calcium phosphate lattice under conditions of high chemical reactivity. Evidence for in vitro resorption lacunae on bulk ceramics is presented.