Advances in 3D Printed Scaffolds for Periodontal Regeneration

To compile recent advances in scaffold-guided periodontal regeneration (SGPR) enabled by 3D printing, focusing on innovations in materials, multiphasic/anisotropic design, image-guided personalization, and the spatiotemporal delivery of therapeutic cues.

Composite scaffold systems, extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic hydrogels, and ion-releasing ceramics (e.g., Mg/Sr/Ca-phosphates, bioactive glass, among others) enhance osteogenesis, periodontal ligament (PDL) formation, and angiogenesis. Melt electrowriting, extrusion, and inkjet printing enable the creation of patient-specific, multiphasic and anisotropic scaffolds that mimic cementum-PDL-bone interfaces. Controlled release of ions, growth factors, genes, and antimicrobials modulate immunity and microenvironments. Emerging directions include in situ and 4D bioprinting, immuno-instructive and prevascularized constructs, and CAD models derived from clinical imaging, which are essential for manufacturing personalized scaffolds and grafts.

3D printing is advancing SGPR toward functional, personalized therapies; however, its translation depends on reliable vascularization, immune modulation, long-term mechanics, scalable manufacturing, and clear regulatory and safety pathways. Standardized workflows, hybrid/4D printing, machine-learning-guided design, and rigorous clinical studies are essential to accelerate clinical adoption.