Reactivity of calcium phosphate cements

Since their discovery in 1983, calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have been increasingly used as injectable bone substitutes. Moreover, most recent research studies have shown that CPCs have a very large potential for the synthesis of granular or macroporous calcium phosphate bone substitutes with enhanced biological properties. In all these applications, the control of the CPC reaction rate is of great importance. Despite numerous studies on the topic, there is still a relatively poor understanding of the mechanisms involved. This paper attempts to change this situation by reviewing the most relevant experimental and phenomenological approaches that can be used to control CPC setting rate.