A method for increasing working time/setting time of monolithic tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) cement paste formed by mixing a TTCP powder with an aqueous solution, which includes heating the TTCP powder, prior to the mixing, so that the TTCP powder is maintained at a temperature of 50-350.degree. C. for a period of time which is greater than one minute, and that a TTCP cement paste formed by mixing the resulting heated TTCP powder with the aqueous solution has a prolonged working time in comparison with that formed by mixing TTCP powder that has not been subjected to such heating with the aqueous solution.