Sulfato de calcio: propiedades y aplicaciones clínicas Calcium sulfate: properties and clinical applications

For over 100 years, the calcium sulfate has stood out from other biomaterials, for being one of the simplest alloplastic materials and having the longest history as synthetic material. It is readily available, has osteoconductive properties, is completely absorbed, does not cause inflammation or antigenic reactions, can be modeled to defect, has compressive strength similar to bone tissue and can be used as a vehicle for in situ release of chemotherapeutic agents. All these features are required to be used as a bone substitute. However, differences in morphology, crystal structure, porosity, mechanical properties and chemical constitution of calcium sulfate can significantly alter its biological properties. The aim of this study was to determine through a review of the literature, the properties of calcium sulfate and its various clinical applications as bone substitute in regenerative procedures. Rev. Clin. Periodoncia Implantol. Rehabil. Oral Vol. 4(3); 138-143, 2011.