Bioprinting unlocks new treatment possibilities

Anisha Hall Hoppe, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 24. September 2024

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WARDHA, India: While the majority of dental clinicians are already familiar with the capabilities of 3D printing for producing models, appliances, surgical guides and more, the uses of bioprinting may be less familiar. A team with the Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research in India has published a review of the promising applications of bioprinting within dentistry, outlining the power of being able to create human tissue through cell deposition for enhanced reconstructive and regenerative treatment.

3D bioprinting is an advanced technique that integrates additive manufacturing with bioinks—composed of living cells and biomaterials—to create customised tissue constructs. These constructs are crucial for regenerating damaged tissue and restoring various maxillofacial abnormalities. The authors explore how this technology has gained increasing interest owing to its ability to precisely control the deposition of cells and materials, offering new possibilities in dentistry and beyond.

Key components of 3D bioprinting include bioinks and scaffolds. Bioinks mimic the extracellular environment, and scaffolds provide the structural framework necessary for cell growth and tissue formation. Because 3D bioprinting creates scaffolds with uniform cell dispersion, the use of 3D-bioprinted materials allows for customisation to the desired dimensions and configuration of specific tissues. The process of 3D bioprinting involves three major stages: pre-printing, printing and post-printing. Pre-printing includes the design of the tissue model using CAD software, the printing stage involves creating the construct using a bioprinter and the post-printing stage focuses on the maturation, implantation and testing of the bioprinted tissue.

The review covers various bioprinting techniques, including inkjet-based, extrusion-based and laser-assisted, each offering different approaches to achieving precise tissue constructs. For instance, inkjet-based bioprinting uses ink droplets to localise cells accurately, whereas extrusion-based bioprinting utilises a continuous flow of bioink for larger constructs. Laser-assisted bioprinting offers high cell viability by using non-contact methods to print moderately viscous biological materials.

When it comes to dentistry, some of the broader applications of 3D bioprinting include drug delivery systems, root coverage, socket preservation and maxillofacial prosthodontics. However, the list of potential applications is virtually endless, as the technology also shows promise in areas like periodontal repair and dental pulp regeneration. Furthermore, the advent of 4D bioprinting introduces smart scaffolds that can respond to stimuli, potentially revolutionising tissue engineering.

Although progress in the application of 3D bioprinting, particularly in dentistry, has been slow, the potential for personalising treatments through architectural control and material versatility offers great promise for future developments. 3D bioprinting may even surpass conventional fabrication methods.

The study, titled “Three-dimensional bioprinting as a tool for tissue engineering: A review”, was published online on 11 September 2024 in Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, ahead of inclusion in an issue.