摘要 |
A process for producing spherical, non-porous hydroxyapatite particles having a size which does not exceed 250 microns and having a density of at least 3.00 g/cc. The process comprises agglomerating in the presence of water as the only additive hydroxyapatite powder feedstock having a purity of at least 97 %, and having metallic impurities which do not exceed 500 ppm, to form hydroxyapatite particles having a size which does not exceed 350 microns. The particles are then dried and then sintered at a temperature from about 1,100 DEG C to about 1,200 DEG C to provide spherical, non-porous hydroxyapatite particles which do not exceed 250 microns and having a density of at least 3.00 g/cc. Such particles have a variety of medical uses, including bone replacement, implant coatings, and dental applications such as alveolar ridge augmentation, root extraction site fillings, restoration of periodontal osseous lesions, and soft tissue augmentations. |