Additive manufacturing in biomaterials: a comprehensive and integrated review of innovations in tissue engineering, bioprinting, implant design, and regenerative medicine

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) has rapidly evolved into a groundbreaking technology in biomedical engineering, offering unprecedented capabilities for fabricating patient-specific, anatomically complex structures with high precision. This review presents a comprehensive and critical overview of recent innovations in AM-applied biomaterials, focusing on the integration and application of hydrogels, biopolymers, ceramics, metals, and composite systems. These materials, each with unique biological and mechanical attributes, are pivotal in advancing regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and the development of next-generation medical implants and devices. Special emphasis is placed on hydrogel-based bioinks and photopolymerizable networks used in 3D bioprinting, which offer tunable properties, excellent biocompatibility, and the ability to mimic extracellular matrix environments. Furthermore, the synergistic design of structural and functional materials in AM platforms is explored to address critical challenges such as mechanical durability, degradation kinetics, immunomodulation, and dynamic cell–matrix interactions. By synthesizing current progress in material science, biofabrication strategies, and translational pathways, this review highlights the transformative potential of AM in shaping the future of personalized and precision medicine—bridging the gap between innovative material design and clinically viable biomedical solutions.