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Material guide

Hydroxyapatite & Bone-Graft Substitutes

By the Dental Nation clinical team — a licensed dental group practising in the UAE

Hydroxyapatite can fill or rebuild oral bone defects and provides a surface that guides new bone formation around an implant.

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The short answer

Hydroxyapatite can fill, augment or reconstruct periodontal and oral or maxillofacial bony defects as a bone-grafting material.

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Hydroxyapatite & Bone-Graft Substitutes dental educational illustration

What is hydroxyapatite used for?

It is one of several dental bone-grafting materials used for defects in the mouth and jaw region.

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Examples of oral bone-grafting materials
MaterialIntended use
HydroxyapatiteFill, augment or reconstruct bony defects[1][2]
Tricalcium phosphateBone-grafting material for oral and maxillofacial defects[1][2]

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How does hydroxyapatite support bone formation?

Hydroxyapatite is osteoconductive: it provides a template for new bone to form on its surface and within pores. Its osteoinductive property promotes tissue ingrowth.

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Where is it used in dentistry?

Dental uses include bone-tissue engineering, bone cement, implant coatings and dental materials. Nano-hydroxyapatite in toothpaste can remineralise damaged enamel and coat exposed dentinal tubules.

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What other bone-graft substitutes exist?

Oral bone-grafting materials include hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, polylactic and polyglycolic acids, and collagen. Each is intended to fill, augment or reconstruct periodontal or bony defects.

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What can this mean for an implant?

Hydroxyapatite can support osseointegration by giving bone a surface and pore structure for attachment and growth. A hydroxyapatite implant coating can improve initial mechanical stability after placement.

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What affects its stability?

Magnesium, carbonate or strontium substitution increases hydroxyapatite solubility, while fluoride substitution reduces it. Sintered hydroxyapatite is chemically more stable and less soluble in the body than non-sintered forms.

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Factors affecting hydroxyapatite solubility
Form or substitutionEffect
Magnesium, carbonate or strontium substitutionIncreases solubility[2]
Fluoride substitutionReduces solubility[2]

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Frequently asked questions

Can hydroxyapatite be used on an implant?

It can be used as an implant coating. Its surface and pore structure can support bone attachment and growth, and the coating can improve initial mechanical stability.

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Keep reading

symptomTooth PaincomparePediatric crowding (often confused by parents)conditionJaw Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis)treatmentBone Grafting

Who wrote this page

This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.

This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.

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