Autologous cancellous bone grafting remains the gold standard in the treatment of bone defects as it meets all requirements (osteoinduction, osteoconduction, osteointegration). Over time, bone replacement materials will become increasingly important in orthopedics and trauma surgery. The main representatives of bone replacement materials are calcium phosphates (ceramics and cements). To plan the surgical procedure, the surgeon must choose a preoperative strategy: is an autologous bone substitute sufficient for defect replenishment? If not: which characteristics of the bone substitute are required? Is a combination of materials to be considered? In the future the development of bone replacement materials will lead to composites of proven substances supplemented with growth factors and bioactive ions to improve the performance of osteoinduction, osteoconduction, osteointegration and osteogenesis. Currently, no standards exist for both indication and use of bone replacement materials.