Effect of polyacrylic acid on the apatite formation of a bioactive ceramic in a simulated body fluid: fundamental examination of the possibility of obtaining bioactive glass-ionomer cements for orthopaedic use

Glass-ionomer cements, which consist of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaF2 glass powders and a polyalkenoic acid solution, such as polyacrylic acid (PAA), have been widely used in dentistry. They set rapidly without any shrinkage, the lack of temperature increase on reaction, and develop high mechanical strength. Therefore, if bioactive glass-ionomer cements can be obtained, such cements are expected to be useful as cements for fixing orthopaedic implants to the surrounding bone. In the present study, to examine the possibility of obtaining bioactive glass-ionomer cements, the effect of PAA on the apatite formation on bioactive ceramics in a simulated body fluid was investigated. It was revealed that presence of even a small quantity of PAA inhibits the apatite formation in the body environment. It is speculated that when glass-ionomer cements are implanted into the body, PAA can be released from the glass-ionomer cements and inhibits the apatite formation on their surfaces. It is reasonable to suppose that this will occur with any glass-ionomer cement that contains PAA. Therefore, it might be considered difficult to obtain bioactive glass-ionomer cements. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.