Unraveling the mechanical strength of biomaterials used as a bone scaffold in oral and maxillofacial defects

Abstract

Three-dimensional printed natural and synthetic biomaterials have evolved as gold standards for tissue engineering scaffolds in recent trends owing to their superior role in hard tissue regeneration. The major drawback of these scaffolds is their relatively poor mechanical strength. Another key consideration in the design of the scaffolds is the difficulty in replicating the complex structural composition of hard tissues such as bones, and its structure cannot be reproduced with a single material that provides a limited range of properties. Sufficient mechanical strength is provided by the structure required for the replacement tissue. The mechanical properties of the scaffold play an important role in many applications of tissue engineering. Therefore, is it sufficient to withstand the force with only a single material used for the scaffold? There are many materials such as natural resin, synthetic resin, and polymers. They are used in combination to fulfill the function and to act as a kingpin by solving their drawbacks. The added material is not only superior in mechanical strength but also compatible with the tissues surrounding the implant, promoting cell adhesion and gradually degrading rather than intoxicating the patient. This review focuses on the various biomaterials used as scaffolds for critical size defects and the aftermath in their mechanical properties.