The versatility of hydroxyapatite blocks in maxillofacial surgery.

There is considerable interest at present in the potential role of calcium hydroxyapatite as a biomaterial for bone augmentation in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Most of the published work has been on the particulate form, mainly in alveolar ridge procedures. However, hydroxyapatite is also available as solid or porous blocks. The blocks are more predictable in their use than are the particles, and are adaptable and versatile. This paper reviews the biological behaviour of the material and discusses the role of hydroxyapatite blocks in alveolar ridge augmentation and orthognathic surgery.