We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Calcium Hydroxyapatite?

By Andy Josiah
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 32,712
Share

Calcium hydroxyapatite, or simply hydroxyapatite, is a mineral that belongs to a group of phosphate minerals known as apatites. It is usually identified with the teeth and bones of humans. In fact, this mineral is a major component of these structures.

Although calcium and phosphate are two of the major elements that compose calcium hydroxyapatite, a third element is hydroxide. This consists of a hydrogen atom joined with oxygen in a chemical bonding that involves sharing electrons with each other. It is the hydrogen atom that gives this mineral its distinctiveness within the apatite group. For example, other apatites such as fluorapatite or chlorapatite can be formed if hydrogen is replaced by fluoride or chloride, respectively.

Calcium hydroxyapatite is known to make up to 50 percent of the bones in the human anatomy. Here, it functions as an inorganic compound called bone mineral, or bone apatite. In teeth, the hydroxyapatite can be found in the enamel and the calcified dentin that it covers; these are two of the teeth’s four major tissues. That found in bones and teeth have a crystallized form that lends to the rigidity of these structures. In fact, it contributes to enamel being the strongest and most mineralized component of the human body.

Thus, lack of calcium hydroxyapatite, or calcium, can lead to the development of certain diseases. One prime example is osteoporosis, in which the risk of bone fracture is increased with the loss of bone mineral density (BMD). In hydroxyapatite crystal disease, however, inflammation is caused when crystallized clumps of the mineral accidentally go to the wrong areas of the skeletal system, such as the joints. The inflammation not only affects this area, but surrounding ligaments and tendons as well.

Physicians typically use calcium hydroxyapatite to solve problems concerning the bones of patients. It can be used as an amputated bone replacement. In fact, some medical researchers have suggested that artificial implants made of this substance can be fused to living bone, thus completely restoring the structure’s aesthetic and functional characteristics. This process is known as osseointegration.

Calcium hydroxyapatite has therefore been used to coat bones to encourage the fusion of the bone with the artificial parts. This application is most commonly associated with dental implants and hip replacements. For people suffering from calcium deficiency, particularly people who are at a risk of developing or have osteoporosis, microcrystalline hydroxylapatite (MH) is promoted to slow bone loss. In some quarters, it is considered better than calcium carbonate for this purpose.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-calcium-hydroxyapatite.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.