Development of Biodegradable Bone Graft Substitutes Using 3D Printing

Abstract

New manufacturing technologies using rapid prototyping or 3D printing enable the fabrication of free-form biomaterials/scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The printing technology can produce materials with computer-aided design of architecture, additives of inorganic/organic compositions, and connective pores with suitable pore sizes that are particularly important for bone tissue ingrowth and vascularization. Therefore, the available 3D printing techniques including vat polymerization (VP), powder bed fusion (PBF), material extrusion, and binder jetting are summarized in this chapter. The potential biomaterials for 3D printing are also discussed. Finally, 3D printing techniques are applied for various medical applications. Obviously, such techniques have paved ways in bone tissue engineering and regeneration and also in personalized medicine of clinical orthopedic and orthodontic practices.