Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2011
The crystallization of brushite has been investigated in the presence of typical ionic biological components, magnesium, fluoride and citrate and a natural protein, osteopontin, using a constant composition method capable of nano-mole sensitivity. While the simple ionic additives, magnesium and fluoride do not have a significant effect, citrate ions can adsorb on lateral faces due to electrostatic interactions involving the functional carboxylate groups, resulting in crystal morphology changes. Osteopontin was the most effective inhibitor influencing the growth of virtually all brushite crystal faces.