[Latest progress in studies of self-setting calcium phosphate cement]

Self-setting calcium phosphate cement(CPC) is a non-ceramic form of hydrxyapatitic artificial bone material (HAP) which was first exclusively produced in America several years ago. CPC is free from the drawbacksto ceramic HAP, including sintering and difficulties in shaping. CPC has the characteristics of simple-producing and easy applyication. In 1991, the clinical application of CPC to repairing the calvarial bone defects was approved, and the results reportedly so far were good or excellent. This paper presents the latest progress in the studies of CPC, concerning the probing into the setting process, the producing of fast-setting and non-decayed types of CPC, the studies of organic compound CPC, the in vitro results of CPC as a drug delivery system, etc. As the research goes on deeply and broadly, CPC is hopefully becoming a standard material in repairing bone defects at the non- or low-bearing site in the future.