In this paper, synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) in the absence or presence of 1.05 wt% magnesium oxide, as sintering additive, by heating in a microwave oven was studied. For this purpose, CaSO(4).2H(2)O, Ca(OH)(2), Mg(OH)(2) and (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) were used as raw materials. The total chemical reactions for all the studied compositions were observed after a 3 h microwave treatment. In case of pure hydroxyapatite, a powder with needle-like grains results. In the presence of Mg(OH)(2), the (Mg, Ca(2)).O.(HPO(4))(2).H(2)O hydrated phosphate is formed besides hydroxyapatite. Pure hydroxyapatite, thermally treated at 1,200 degrees C, mostly transforms in beta-Ca(3)P(2)O(8). By adding MgO into the precursor mixture, hydroxyapatite was stabilised, and found in a much greater proportion at 1,200 degrees C. After the thermal treatment, the hydroxyapatite, analysed by electronic microscopy, shows a prismatic morphology originating in its initial state.