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Review
. 2023 Mar 10;12(6):859.
doi: 10.3390/cells12060859.

Application of 3D Printing in Bone Grafts

Adam Brachet  1 , Aleksandra Bełżek  2 , Daria Furtak  2 , Zuzanna Geworgjan  2 , Dawid Tulej  2 , Kinga Kulczycka  3 , Robert Karpiński  4   5 , Marcin Maciejewski  6 , Jacek Baj  7
Affiliations
Review

Application of 3D Printing in Bone Grafts

Adam Brachet et al. Cells. .

Abstract

The application of 3D printing in bone grafts is gaining in importance and is becoming more and more popular. The choice of the method has a direct impact on the preparation of the patient for surgery, the probability of rejection of the transplant, and many other complications. The aim of the article is to discuss methods of bone grafting and to compare these methods. This review of literature is based on a selective literature search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases from 2001 to 2022 using the search terms "bone graft", "bone transplant", and "3D printing". In addition, we also reviewed non-medical literature related to materials used for 3D printing. There are several methods of bone grafting, such as a demineralized bone matrix, cancellous allograft, nonvascular cortical allograft, osteoarticular allograft, osteochondral allograft, vascularized allograft, and an autogenic transplant using a bone substitute. Currently, autogenous grafting, which involves removing the patient's bone from an area of low aesthetic importance, is referred to as the gold standard. 3D printing enables using a variety of materials. 3D technology is being applied to bone tissue engineering much more often. It allows for the treatment of bone defects thanks to the creation of a porous scaffold with adequate mechanical strength and favorable macro- and microstructures. Bone tissue engineering is an innovative approach that can be used to repair multiple bone defects in the process of transplantation. In this process, biomaterials are a very important factor in supporting regenerative cells and the regeneration of tissue. We have years of research ahead of us; however, it is certain that 3D printing is the future of transplant medicine.

Keywords: 3D printing; FDM; bone grafts; cells; scaffold.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Usage of microporous scaffolds for supporting bone formation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Typical FDM printer during operation. The heated nozzle deposits the material (red) and places it layer by layer on the print bed in the required shape.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Image of a skull after removal of damaged bone following an accident, obtained by processing a set of tomography images.
Figure 4
Figure 4
A model of an implant designed to replace the missing bone tissue.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A model of a 30 mm × 30 mm × 30 mm lattice during preprocessing in Ultimaker Cura. The software allows the user to adjust printing parameters for the desired effect.
Figure 6
Figure 6
A model of a 30 mm × 30 mm × 30 mm lattice after printing on an FDM printer using PLA.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The steps required before final implantation of the prepared structure.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Main components of an SLA printer.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Process of creating an object using FDM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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