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Article: Structures of biological minerals in dental research.
- Article from:
- Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Article date:
- November 1, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 National Institute of Standards and Technology. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Structural features of some calcium phosphates of biological interest are described. Structure of hydroxyapatite (OHAp), considered as the prototype for the inorganic component of bones and teeth is discussed with respect to the kinds and locations of ionic substitutions. Octacalcium phosphate (OCP), is a probable precursor in biological mineralization. OCP has a layer type structure, with one layer quite similar to that of OHAp and the other, a hydrated layer consisting of more widely spaced Ca, and [PO.sub.4] ions and the water molecules. The closeness of fit in the apatitic layers of OCP and OHAp accounts for the epitaxial, interlayered mixtures formed by these ...