Bone and Tooth Mineralization: Why Apatite?

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2008 Bone and Tooth Mineralization: Why Apatite? Jill D. Pasteris; Jill D. Pasteris 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Center for Materials Innovation, Washington University, Campus Box 1169, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA E-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brigitte Wopenka; Brigitte Wopenka 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Center for Materials Innovation, Washington University, Campus Box 1169, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA E-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eugenia Valsami-Jones Eugenia Valsami-Jones 2Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK E-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jill D. Pasteris 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Center for Materials Innovation, Washington University, Campus Box 1169, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA E-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail] Brigitte Wopenka 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Center for Materials Innovation, Washington University, Campus Box 1169, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA E-mail: [e-mail]; [e-mail] Eugenia Valsami-Jones 2Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK E-mail: [e-mail] Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1811-5217 Print ISSN: 1811-5209 © 2008 by the Mineralogical Society of America Elements (2008) 4 (2): 97–104. https://doi.org/10.2113/GSELEMENTS.4.2.97 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 Jill D. Pasteris, Brigitte Wopenka, Eugenia Valsami-Jones; Bone and Tooth Mineralization: Why Apatite?. Elements 2008;; 4 (2): 97–104. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/GSELEMENTS.4.2.97 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 Through evolution, vertebrates have "chosen" the calcium phosphate mineral apatite to mineralize their teeth and bones. This article describes the key characteristics of apatite in biological mineralization and explores how the apatite structure allows biology to control mineral composition and functionality. Through the synthesis and testing of calcium phosphates for biomaterials applications, we have gained further understanding of how sensitive the chemical and physical properties of apatite are to its growth conditions. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.