Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is one of the
key components of contemporary dental treatments for the restoration of
alveolar bone before the placement of an implant. In the past few years, the
advent of patient-specific, 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds has
made a remarkable advance in this field; these custom-made scaffolds now have
the potential to significantly enhance the outcome of bone regeneration by
conforming to the anatomical needs of the patient. This narrative review
describes the existing 3D-printed PCL membranes and scaffolds used in GBR,
covering topics such as design and fabrication techniques, biological
compatibility, mechanical properties, and degradation characteristics. A
comparison is made with standard collagen membranes, noting the advantages and
potential shortcomings of this technology. A mixed methodology combining
clinical case evaluations, in vitro studies, in vivo animal
studies, and an extensive literature review was designed. The PCL scaffold was
manufactured using additive technology, aminolyzed with gelatin, and evaluated
concerning volumetric and histological outcomes in a staged ridge augmentation
procedure. The scaffold shown excellent biocompatibility, structural strength,
and osteoconductivity after surface modification. An impressive volumetric
increase of 108.4% in bone formation was recorded, with favorable histological
integration achieved without any significant inflammation or surgical
complications. These findings highlight the potential of custom 3D-printed PCL
scaffolds as a practical and advanced alternative for GBR. Tailoring to the
unique anatomy of each patient enhances regenerative outcomes, thus sagging
towards an improved predictability of the surgical procedures. Meanwhile, other
challenges still lie ahead, like relatively slow biodegradation of the PCL,
regulatory issues, and high production cost, all of which should be critically
examined and eliminated to guarantee greater clinical acceptance.
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