The Dynamics of Biomineral Systems

Evidence accumulates that mineralization in the body, whether physiological or pathological, takes place only, when and where body fluids become supersaturated with respect to the formation product of fast nucleators like brushite, octocalcium phosphate, calcite and calcium oxalates. In the pH ranges above 8.0, between 8.0 and 7.0 and below 7.0 the most frequently occurring nucleating phases are calcite, octocalcium phosphate and brushite, respectively. After nucleation of brushite this phase is transformed spontaneously into a mixture of a sodium‐ and carbonate containing apatite, of dolomite and of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite. After nucleation of octocalcium phosphate that phase is transformed spontaneously into a mixture of a sodium‐ and carbonate containing apatite, of magnesium whitlockite and of heavily carbonated calcium deficient hydroxyapatite. In addition, other phases can be formed in the presence of enough fluoride, zinc, etc.