Biomedical physics & engineering expressAug 26, 2021

Using 3D Printing to Create Materials for Repairing Bone and Hard Tissues

Regenerative Health Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 30, 2026

Abstract

Recent advancements in printable biomaterials for bone and mineralized tissue engineering include various hydrogels and bioceramics.

Biomaterials are categorized into two main types: 3D printing and bioprinting.
3D printing uses acellular biomaterials, while bioprinting incorporates cell-laden hydrogels.
Bioceramics, classified as bioactive and bioinert, can enhance the osteoconductive properties and promote bone formation.
The combination of different biopolymers and minerals can improve mechanical properties and biological integration of 3D printed scaffolds.
Challenges in the field and potential future approaches to overcome them are highlighted.

Simplified

This review focuses on recently developed printable biomaterials for bone and mineralized tissue engineering. 3D printing or bioprinting is an advanced technology to design and fabricate complex functional 3D scaffolds, mimicking native tissue forapplications. We categorized the biomaterials into two main classes: 3D printing and bioprinting. Various biomaterials, including natural, synthetic biopolymers and their composites, have been studied. Biomaterial inks or bioinks used for bone and mineralized tissue regeneration include hydrogels loaded with minerals or bioceramics, cells, and growth factors. In 3D printing, the scaffold is created by acellular biomaterials (biomaterial inks), while in 3D bioprinting, cell-laden hydrogels (bioinks) are used. Two main classes of bioceramics, including bioactive and bioinert ceramics, are reviewed. Bioceramics incorporation provides osteoconductive properties and induces bone formation. Each biopolymer and mineral have its advantages and limitations. Each component of these composite biomaterials provides specific properties, and their combination can ameliorate the mechanical properties, bioactivity, or biological integration of the 3D printed scaffold. Present challenges and future approaches to address them are also discussed. in vivo

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Using 3D Printing to Create Materials for Repairing Bone and Hard Tissues

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