Abstract: The present invention provides novel biomaterials comprising one or more of Mg, Zn and F ions in a carbonate-containing biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) system. The biomaterial may contain Mg, Zn, F, Mg and Zn, Mg and F, Zn and F, or Mg, Zn and F. The biomaterial may be substantially similar in composition to bone mineral (a carbonate apatite). The biomaterial may feature slow release of Mg, Zn, F, Ca, and P ions. The biphasic calcium phosphate, BCP, may be a mixture of unsubstituted hydroxyapatite (HA) and unsubstituted.-TCP, Ca3(PO4)2. BCP of varying HA/.-TCP ratios may be produced by sintering calcium-deficient apatite, for instance having a Ca/P<1.5, 1.6, 1.67, 1.75 or 1.8 that has been prepared either by a precipitation or by a hydrolysis method or by a solid-state reaction. The amount of each component (by weight %) present in the biomaterials may be as follows: Mg 0.5 to 12 wt %, Zn 1 to 12 wt %, F 0.1 to 4 wt %, calcium 20 to 40 wt %, phosphate 10 to 20 wt %, and carbonate (CO3) 1 to 20 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including saturated calcium phosphate (sCaP) solutions, that may be prepared from mixtures of calcium deficient apatite and one or more of sodium fluoride and zinc chloride, or F or Zn ions. The solutions may be prepared from mixtures of calcium compounds and one or more of sodium or potassium phosphates, sodium or potassium fluoride and zinc salts with, for instance, either phosphoric or hydrochloric acids. Such compositions may be useful for increasing occlusion of dentin tubules, decreasing bacterial attachment to dentin tubules, decreasing bacterial growth or colonization on tooth surfaces such as enamel and dentin surfaces including on dentin tubules, increasing resistance to acid dissolution, inhibiting dental caries formation and progression and tooth decay and inhibiting development of tooth hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including saturated calcium phosphate (sCaP) solutions, that may be prepared from mixtures of calcium deficient apatite and one or more of sodium fluoride and zinc chloride, or F or Zn ions. The solutions may be prepared from mixtures of calcium compounds and one or more of sodium or potassium phosphates, sodium or potassium fluoride and zinc salts with, for instance, either phosphoric or hydrochloric acids. Such compositions may be useful for increasing occlusion of dentin tubules, decreasing bacterial attachment to dentin tubules, decreasing bacterial growth or colonization on tooth surfaces such as enamel and dentin surfaces including on dentin tubules, increasing resistance to acid dissolution, inhibiting dental caries formation and progression and tooth decay and inhibiting development of tooth hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biomaterials comprising one or more of Mg, Zn and F ions in a carbonate-containing biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) system. The biomaterial may contain Mg, Zn, F, Mg and Zn, Mg and F, Zn and F, or Mg, Zn and F. The biomaterial may be substantially similar in composition to bone mineral (a carbonate apatite). The biomaterial may feature slow release of Mg, Zn, F, Ca, and P ions. The biphasic calcium phosphate, BCP, may be a mixture of unsubstituted hydroxyapatite (HA) and unsubstituted .-TCP, Ca3(PO4)2. BCP of varying HA/.-TCP ratios may be produced by sintering calcium-deficient apatite, for instance having a Ca/P<1.5, 1.6, 1.67, 1.75 or 1.8 that has been prepared either by a precipitation or by a hydrolysis method or by a solid-state reaction. The amount of each component (by weight %) present in the biomaterials may be as follows: Mg 0.5 to 12 wt %, Zn 1 to 12 wt %, F 0.1 to 4 wt %, calcium 20 to 40 wt %, phosphate 10 to 20 wt %, and carbonate (CO3) 1 to 20 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for mineralizing commercially available guided bone regeneration membranes. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a commercially available guided bone regeneration membrane, (b) applying a mineralizing solution, and (c) microwaving the membrane. The method may further comprise (d) rinsing the membrane in a solution such as distilled water and (e) drying the membrane. The mineralizing solution may be a solution capable of supplying or delivering a mineral such as calcium or zinc. The invention further provides guided bone regeneration membranes made by the methods described. The guided bone regeneration membrane comprises a mineral, such as, for instance calcium or zinc at a weight percent of at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 12%, at least 15%, at least 18%, at least 20% or at least 25% (weight percent) of the membrane. Further, the invention provides methods for enhancing bone regeneration and methods for inhibiting bacterial infection and inflammation.