Digitally Customized 3D PCL/β-TCP Scaffold for Precise Reconstruction of Alveolar Crest Defects

Bone tissue engineering scaffolds are used to repair dimensional alveolar crest defects resulting from etiologies such as trauma, infection, or tumor resection, thereby enabling a more accurate, efficient, and predictable dental diagnosis and treatment. In this study, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from patients with alveolar crest defects were utilized to design a personalized scaffold. Subsequently, the 3D PCL/β-TCP scaffold was successfully fabricated based on this design using 3D printing technology. In parallel, a comprehensive series of assays were conducted to evaluate the properties of the 3D PCL/β-TCP scaffold, including its ability to promote MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, its capacity to induce bone formation was assessed in an in vivo animal model. The results demonstrated that the scaffold exhibited excellent biocompatibility, as evidenced by CCK-8 and live/dead (AM/PI) fluorescence staining assays, and significantly facilitated the adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Additionally, ALP and Alizarin Red staining experiments indicated that the 3D PCL/β-TCP scaffold significantly enhanced ALP expression and calcified nodule formation. Finally, the in vivo experiments in rats with skull defects confirmed that the 3D PCL/β-TCP scaffold contributed to accelerated bone formation. In summary, owing to numerous favorable properties such as personalized customization, biomimetic porous architecture, and excellent osteogenic ability, the 3D PCL/β-TCP scaffold was confirmed to be an advantageous candidate, offering ideas and effective methods for the precise repair of the alveolar crest.