2. Academic Validation
  3. In vitro evaluation of novel composite bioceramic filaments for alveolar bone regeneration

In vitro evaluation of novel composite bioceramic filaments for alveolar bone regeneration

  • J Dent Sci. 2025 Oct;20(4):2084-2091. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2025.07.012.
Yu Ting Li 1,  Ju-Hsuan Yang 2 3,  Yu-Hsin Chang 2,  Hao-Hueng Chang 2 4,  Chun-Pin Lin 2 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 2 Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 3 Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
  • 4 Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
PMID: 41040597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2025.07.012
Abstract

Background/purpose: Alveolar bone defect repair remains a major clinical challenge in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. This study developed 3D-printable composite filaments combining polylactic acid (PLA) with bioceramic powders and evaluated their physicochemical properties and in vitro osteogenic potential for alveolar bone graft applications.

Materials and methods: Filaments were fabricated via hot processing and tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent casting, blending PLA with hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) at a 7:3 ratio. Four groups, H-PLA (heated PLA), H-MIX (heated PLA with HA/β-TCP), T-PLA (THF-processed PLA), and T-MIX (THF-processed PLA with HA/β-TCP) groups, underwent material characterization such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and compressive strength testing, and MC3T3 cell-based assays for biocompatibility assessment.

Results: H-MIX and T-MIX significantly enhanced compressive strength and osteogenic mineralization compared to PLA-only groups. HA/β-TCP was uniformly dispersed within the PLA matrix. Cell proliferation peaked on day 3, with both composite groups showing higher viability than controls (P < 0.01). Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity increased by day 7, with T-MIX significantly higher than H-PLA and T-PLA (P < 0.05). On day 14, T-MIX and H-MIX showed markedly greater mineralization, with T-MIX displaying the highest calcium deposition (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Composite scaffolds made by thermal and solvent casting showed enhanced mechanical strength and osteogenic activity in vitro. T-MIX outperformed Other groups in compressive strength, ALP activity, and calcium deposition. These results indicate that HA/β-TCP-reinforced PLA filaments, especially T-MIX, are promising for alveolar bone repair.

Keywords

3D printing; Bone regeneration; Composite bioceramic filaments; Fused deposition modeling; Polylactic acid; Tetrahydrofuran.

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