Main 3D Manufacturing Techniques for Customized Bone Substitutes. A Systematic Review

Abstract

Clinicians should be aware of the main methods and materials to face the challenge of bone shortage by manufacturing customized grafts, in order to repair defects. This study aims to carry out a bibliographic review of the existing methods to manufacture customized bone scaffolds through 3D technology and to identify their current situation based on the published papers. A literature search was carried out using “3D scaffold”, “bone regeneration”, “robocasting” and “3D printing” as descriptors. This search strategy was performed on PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Cochrane Library, but also by hand search in relevant journals and throughout the selected papers. All the papers focusing on techniques for manufacturing customized bone scaffolds were reviewed. The 62 articles identified described 14 techniques (4 subtraction + 10 addition techniques). Scaffold fabrication techniques can be also be classified according to the time at which they are developed, into Conventional techniques and Solid Freeform Fabrication techniques. The conventional techniques are unable to control the architecture of the pore and the pore interconnection. However, current Solid Freeform Fabrication techniques allow individualizing and generating complex geometries of porosity. To conclude, currently SLA (Stereolithography), Robocasting and FDM (Fused deposition modeling) are promising options in customized bone regeneration.

Vascularized bone regeneration accelerated by 3D-printed nanosilicate-functionalized polycaprolactone scaffold

“…3D-printed biomaterials have the opportunity to replace conventional complicated procedures currently used for biomaterial fabrication [ 8 ]. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique, one of the most commonly used 3D printing technologies, could be used to fabricate a particular structure of scaffolds by ejecting the biomaterials layer by layer from a temperature-controlled nozzle [ 9 ]. FDM is flexible in feedstock and is cost-effective because it avoids the use of complex molds, extra dryness and cooling procedures.…”

Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Fabrication of Biomaterials for Surgical Procedures in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

“…115 According to a recent systematic review, FDM is one of the most promising AM techniques for customized bone regeneration. 116 With the expiration of the FDM patent in 2009, other commercial variants were developed, denominated as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). 81 FFF techniques made 3D printing possible at an even lower cost, in smaller and more accessible equipment, although not always with the same print quality obtained in the FDM equipment.…”

“…This technique has several advantages, such as the absence of organic solvents, reproducibility, the precision of the produced parts, and low cost compared to other AM techniques, including SLS and SLM 115 . According to a recent systematic review, FDM is one of the most promising AM techniques for customized bone regeneration 116 . With the expiration of the FDM patent in 2009, other commercial variants were developed, denominated as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 81 .…”

Application of fused deposition modeling (FDM) on bone scaffold manufacturing process: A review

“…Subtractive manufacturing refers to any method of producing a bone scaffold by removing a portion of the material from a solid or liquid uniform block. All technologies that develop the porosity geometry of the scaffold by gradually adding matter, frequently layer by layer, without the use of an organic solvent are referred to as additive manufacturing [ 14 ].…”