Brushite (DCPD, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, CaHPO_4·2H_2O) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP, Ca_8(HPO_4)_2(PO_4)_4·5H_2O) granules with diameters in the millimeter range were prepared by using marble (calcium carbonate) granules as the starting material. The method of this study simply comprised of soaking the marble granules in aqueous solutions containing phosphate and/or calcium ions at temperatures between 20° and 37°C. This process did not cause any size change between the initial marble and final brushite or octacalcium phosphate granules. Such DCPD and OCP granules of higher in vitro solubility than hydroxyapatite could be useful in maxillofacial, dental and orthopedic void/bone defect filling and grafting applications. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
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