Chitosan/hydroxyapatite-based composites

In the past 20 years, there has been a growing trend towards the development and use of biomaterials for the repairing and restoration of damaged bone tissue. The calcium phosphate bioceramics have attracted great attention in the field of orthopaedics because of its similarity to the mineral component of bone tissue. They have been used as granules for example in non-load bearing small implants, such as middle ear implants, in coatings on metals as dental implants, as well as in porous implants to stimulate bone growth within the implant; and cements, which are implanted in a paste like form and harden in vivo. The clinical disadvantages associated with them are primarily focused on poor mechanical strength and slow resorption kinetics as compared with the surrounding tissue. Therefore, current studies are aimed at creating new formulations combining calcium phosphate compounds with biopolymers, in order to avoid the frequent migration of bioceramic particles from the implant site, reducing potential damage to soft tissue in the vicinity of the implant and to improve biodegradability, curing properties, mechanical strength and injectability. The aims of this paper is to bring a review of the literature concerning chitosan-hydroxyapatite composites for bone restoration, and to mention the main methods of preparation, physico-chemical and biological properties, and tissue engineering techniques using these materials.