Additively manufactured bioceramic scaffolds with 3D architecture for vertical bone augmentation: A proof-of-concept study

Vertical bone augmentation remains a significant challenge in implant dentistry and orofacial surgery, which is aimed at regenerating bone extraskeletal. This study conducts a proof-of-concept investigation into the effects of additively manufactured bioceramic scaffolds featuring bioinspired 3D architectures (trabecular, open channel, and layered) on vertical bone augmentation from the perspectives of osteogenesis and biomechanics. The experimental scaffold design was categorized into 4 Groups. Compression tests and finite element analysis (FEA) were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of scaffolds, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed to evaluate permeability and wall shear stress in scaffolds. Subsequently, the osteogenesis and biomechanical properties of these scaffolds were systematically evaluated in vivo using a rabbit calvarium model. The results illustrated that compression strength for all groups was within the typical range of trabecular bone. Remarkable bone neoformation was observed around the lower half of the scaffold, establishing a strong osseointegration effect with both the calvaria bone and scaffolds, and the highest osteogenic growth (approximately 4 mm) was observed at the interface between the titanium screw and the scaffold. This study scientifically proves that DLP-based bioceramic scaffolds effectively fulfill the osteogenic and biomechanical prerequisites for vertical bone augmentation, thereby providing preliminary validation of this concept.