what is apatite family?
Apatite is a family of minerals centered around fluorapatite, or calcium phosphate with a bit of fluorine, with the formula Ca5(PO4)3F. Other members of the apatite group have chlorine or hydroxyl take the place of the fluorine; silicon, arsenic or vanadium replace the phosphorus (and carbonate replace the phosphate group); and strontium, lead and other elements substitute for the calcium. The general formula for the apatite group is thus (Ca,Sr,Pb)5[(P,As,V,Si)O4]3(F,Cl,OH). Because fluorapatite makes up the framework of teeth and bones, we have a dietary need for fluorine, phosphorus and calcium.