Milestones in Mandibular Bone Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review of Large Animal Models and Critical-Sized...

Background/Objectives: Mandibular reconstruction following trauma or oncologic resection is crucial for restoring function and aesthetics. While autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard, it presents challenges such as donor site morbidity and graft availability. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) offers an innovative alternative, integrating scaffolds, osteogenic cells, and bioactive factors to regenerate functional bone. This systematic review evaluates BTE strategies for mandibular reconstruction, focusing on critical-sized defects in large animal models and their translational potential for clinical applications. Methods: A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies involved large animal models and critical-sized mandibular defects treated with at least two BTE components (scaffold, osteogenic cells, or growth factors). Quality and bias assessments were conducted using ARRIVE guidelines and SYRCLE tools. Results: Of the 6088 studies screened, 27 met the inclusion criteria, focusing on critical-sized mandibular defects in large animal models such as pigs, sheep, and dogs. Common scaffolds included β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), frequently combined with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and growth factors like recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Preclinical outcomes demonstrated effective bone regeneration, vascularization, and biomechanical restoration. Advanced strategies, including in vivo bioreactors and 3D-printed scaffolds, further enhanced regeneration. However, challenges such as incomplete scaffold degradation, hypoxic conditions within constructs, and variability in growth factor efficacy and dose optimization were observed, emphasizing the need for further refinement to ensure consistent outcomes. Conclusions: BTE shows promise in mandibular reconstruction, achieving bone regeneration and functional restoration in preclinical models of critical-sized defects. However, challenges such as scaffold optimization, vascularization enhancement, and protocol standardization require further investigation to facilitate clinical translation. These findings emphasize the need for refinement to achieve consistent, scalable outcomes for clinical use.