From powder to patient: A critical overview of 3D-printed bioceramics for bone tissue engineering

초록

With the global population aging and the prevalence of bone defects caused by trauma, osteoporosis, and tumor resection on the rise, there is a growing demand for effective strategies in bone regeneration and implant therapies. Among various biomaterials, bioactive ceramics have gained attention due to their excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and ability to support bone tissue growth. Recently, the integration of advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies has opened new opportunities for the fabrication of highly complex, patient-specific ceramic structures with enhanced precision and functionality. This synergy has positioned 3D-printed bioceramics as promising candidates for next-generation bone grafts and tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds. In this review, we provide a quantitative, application-specific comparison of the major 3D printing technologies applied to bioceramics, reporting the achievable resolution, sintered density, porosity, and mechanical strength of each technique and tracing how slurry composition and process parameters govern these properties. We also examine the material properties and biological responses of key ceramics such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP), zirconia, hydroxyapatite (HA), and bioactive glass (BAG), supported by various in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, we analyze their clinical potential through recent applications in implants, bone graft substitutes, and regenerative scaffolds. This paper aims to offer a critical perspective on the current state and future prospects of bioceramic based 3D printing technologies in orthopedic and dental fields. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

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