Introduction. The loss of the jaw bone, especially in the area of the alveolar process, can significantly complicate the procedure of prosthetic rehabilitation of prosthetic patients. The reason for the loss of the jaw bones are physiological and pathological processes.
Materials. Bone replacements are widely used in the reconstruction of bone defects. The optimal characteristics of these materials are biocompatibility, bioinertness, biofunctionality and a special canalicular and intercanalicular system. Alloplastic bone replacements are inorganic, synthetic, biocompatible and bioactive bone replacements with osteoinductive potential. Hydroxyapatite is a preparation based on calcium phosphate. It has high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity and good osteoconductive characteristics. Poor properties are poor mechanical resistance as well as a low degree of resorption. Therefore, the research of chemically modified hydroxyapatites containing different ions was started.
Conclusion. Calcium ions can be replaced by various metal ions like cobalt, aluminum, nickel, manganese, chromium, copper in a liquid medium.

Keywords: bone replacements, hydroxyapatite, biocompatibility, metal ions

Corresponding author:

Marko Igić

e-mail: saigic@yahoo.com