Mineralization of Bones and Teeth

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2007 Mineralization of Bones and Teeth Adele L. Boskey Adele L. Boskey *Hospital for Special Surgery Affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University 535 E 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA E-mail: boskeyA@hss.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2007) 3 (6): 385–391. https://doi.org/10.2113/GSELEMENTS.3.6.385 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Adele L. Boskey; Mineralization of Bones and Teeth. Elements 2007;; 3 (6): 385–391. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/GSELEMENTS.3.6.385 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Bones and teeth consist of an inorganic calcium phosphate mineral approximated by hydroxylapatite and matrix proteins. The physical and chemical properties of these "bioapatite" crystals are different from those of geologic hydroxylapatite because of the way they are formed, and these unique properties are required for fulfilling the biological functions of bones and teeth. Recent biochemical studies provide insight into the factors controlling the formation and growth of bioapatite crystals and how alteration in the mineralization process can lead to diseases such as osteoporosis. New spectroscopic and microscopic techniques are enabling scientists to characterize changes in crystal properties in these diseases, providing potentially fruitful areas of collaboration among geochemists, mineralogists, and biological researchers and offering hope for the development of novel therapies. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.