3D printing is not a perfect solution for periodontal regeneration, but it is getting closer to the ideal

Trutchengod, India: According to estimates by the World Health Organization, the prevalence of periodontitis in the global adult population is about 19%. The need for regenerative treatment of serious diseases and the potential advantages of 3D printing in this field cannot be ignored. A recent review by researchers from the Department of Periodontology at the KSR School of Dental Science and Research in Truchengod, India, provides clinicians with an excellent guide to the emerging role of 3D printing in the field of periodontal regeneration therapy.

Because the primary goal of periodontal therapy is to rebuild or regenerate lost periodontal tissue, a variety of regenerative therapies have been explored over the years, including bone grafts, guided tissue membranes, growth factors, and stem cell technologies. Recently, however, 3D printing has received much attention as a novel method that helps promote optimal cell interactions and regeneration of biological tissues in periodontal defects.

The review covers some of the currently available 3D printing technologies, such as inkjet printing, extrusion printing, melt deposition modeling, photoassisted printing, and electrospinning. In terms of periodontal regeneration, 3D printing includes indirect 3D printing and 3D printing with living cells. Each approach offers unique advantages for tissue engineering and scaffold fabrication.

However, it is 3D-printed scaffolds that play a crucial role in periodontal regeneration, as they provide a framework for cells to attach, migrate, proliferate and differentiate. To achieve successful periodontal regeneration, these scaffolds must meet certain requirements to ensure optimal results for cell interaction and tissue growth. In periodontal regeneration, ideal requirements for 3D printed scaffolds include biocompatibility, porosity, and mechanical strength.

Since periodontal regeneration involves several related medical goals, 3D printing is also evolving to address these needs. These goals include alveolar preservation, treatment of fenestration and periosseous defects, sinus cavity and bone ridge elevation, and perigraft regeneration. While the selection of 3D printing shows excellent results, there are some areas where the technology still lags behind. For example, when it comes to preserving alveolar cavities, the researchers cite a study that found that custom scaffolds 3D printed from the degradable polymer polycaprolactone can provide adequate support for the structure and integrity of alveolar ridges, but can lead to soft tissue prolapse and less bone repair.

New research using hydroxyapatite and tricalcium β-phosphate 3D printed scaffolders has shown positive results in the treatment of bone defects. Because the scaffold should promote the formation and integration of bone and periodontal tissue, it should ensure that the regenerated structure is properly attached to the existing natural tissue. The review cites several experimental studies with encouraging results for tissue regeneration using 3D printed scaffolds in these areas.

The authors note that 3D printing is far from perfect for periodontal regeneration therapy, mainly due to high costs, biocompatibility concerns, and the need for suitable biomaterials. The authors also highlight the need for further human clinical trials to build strong evidence supporting the efficacy of 3D printing in this area.

Overall, this comprehensive review reveals the great potential of 3D printing technology to revolutionize periodontal regeneration therapy and highlights the need for further research to establish its efficacy and usefulness in clinical practice.

The study, entitled "The Prime Start of 3D printing in periodontal regeneration - a review," was published online July 6, 2023, in the Saudi Dental Journal and is expected to be published in an issue.