Engineered bone grafts and bone flaps for maxillofacial defects: state of the art

Abstract

Purpose: This article focuses on the use of tissue-engineering techniques for the reconstruction of bone defects in the maxillofacial region.

Methods and results: A comprehensive and critical analysis of the literature showed that tissue-engineering procedures are effective in both animal studies and clinical case series. At the same time, it is clear that much work remains before these techniques can be used routinely in the clinical situation.

Conclusion: This review highlights areas that require further investigation, and proposes several solutions to make tissue-engineering procedures available for maxillofacial reconstruction in the near future.