3D Printing of Polyester Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering: Advancements and Challenges

Abstract

Polyesters have garnered significant attention in bone tissue engineering (BTE) due to their tunable degradation rates, biocompatibility, and convenient processing. This review focuses on recent advancements and challenges in the 3D printing of polyester-based scaffolds for BTE. Various 3D printing techniques, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), vat photopolymerization (VP), and Wet-spun additive manufacturing, are explored, emphasizing their ability to construct scaffolds with precise architectural control. The main challenges in 3D printed polyester scaffolds are their limited mechanical properties, lack of inherent bioactivity, and the release of acidic byproducts during biodegradation. Strategies to enhance scaffold performance, such as incorporating bioactive ceramics and growth factors, are discussed, focusing on improving osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and mechanical strength. Recent studies on integrating these components into polyester scaffolds and techniques to optimize scaffold porosity and biodegradability are presented. Finally, the review addresses ongoing issues, such as the difficulty of incorporating some biomolecules and bioceramics during 3D printing and improved clinical translation. This comprehensive overview aims to provide insight into the future directions and potential solutions for overcoming the limitations of 3D-printed polyester-based scaffolds in BTE.