Three-dimensional bio-printing and bone tissue engineering: technical innovations and potential applications in maxillofacial reconstructive surgery

Background Bone grafting has been considered the gold standard for hard tissue reconstructive surgery and is widely used for large mandibular defect reconstruction. However, the midface encompasses delicate structures that are surrounded by a complex bone architecture, which makes bone grafting using traditional methods very challenging. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a developing technology that is derived from the evolution of additive manufacturing. It enables precise development of a scaffold from different available biomaterials that mimic the shape, size, and dimension of a defect without relying only on the surgeon’s skills and capabilities, and subsequently, may enhance surgical outcomes and, in turn, patient satisfaction and quality of life. Review This review summarizes different biomaterial classes that can be used in 3D bioprinters as bioinks to fabricate bone scaffolds, including polymers, bioceramics, and composites. It also describes the advantages and limitations of the three currently used 3D bioprinting technologies: inkjet bioprinting, micro-extrusion, and laser-assisted bioprinting. Conclusions Although 3D bioprinting technology is still in its infancy and requires further development and optimization both in biomaterials and techniques, it offers great promise and potential for facial reconstruction with improved outcome

Alginate: Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications

Due to their outstanding properties in terms of mild gelation conditions and simple functionalization, biocompatibility, low toxicity, biodegradability, non-antigenicity and chelating ability, as well as relatively low cost, alginates have been widely used in a variety of biomedical applications including tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Smart alginate hydrogels for on-demand drug release in response to environmental stimuli and 3D bioprinting will play an important role in the future. These and the introduction of appropriate cell interactive features will be crucial for many tissue engineering applications. The focus of the present chapter is to highlight the great potential of the alginates as biomaterial for biomedical applications and to discuss the role that alginate-based materials are likely to play in biomedical applications in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio