Bone scaffold tissue engineering is one of the fastest growing advancements in periodontal technology, especially with the advent of 3D printing. Current treatments for larger amounts of bone loss frequently fail at accurately replacing bone in the necessary anatomic shape and structure for the patient. With bone scaffold 3D printing, bone replacement materials can be created with a number of controls, including controlled topography, shape, and porosity.
3D printing a bone scaffold allows surgeons to customize bone grafts to the patient and are particularly helpful in cases of significant bone defects where other treatments are not as suitable. Polymeric scaffolds for bone tissue engineering open up new possibilities for surgeons and patients who may not have been good candidates for dental implants previously.
As the technology continues to be refined and become more affordable, the treatment of bone defects and the restoration of a healthy smile will be revolutionized.