A calcium phosphate apatite cement-forming composition comprises an apatite-forming calcium-based precursor powder and from 1 to 30 wt %, based on the weight of the precursor powder, of dicalcium pyrophosphate powder or or sodium pyrophosphate powder. Apatite cements formed form such compositions may be used in implants for correcting bone defects. Methods for bone defect repair employ implants formed from such apatite cements and slow implant resorption and/or improve in vivo bone induction in a patient.
