Purpose: This experiment aimed to observe the differences in biological properties by producing BGS-7 + PCL scaffolds with different weight fractions of BGS-7 through 3D printing and to confirm whether using the scaffold for vertical bone augmentation is effective.
Materials and methods: Cube-shaped bioglass (BGS-7) and polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with different weight fractions (PCL alone, PCL with 15% and 30% BGS-7) are produced using 3D printing. The surface hydroxyapatite (HA) apposition, the pH change, proliferation and attachment assays, and various gene expression levels are assessed. After a 7-mm implant was inserted 3 mm into the rabbit calvaria, vertical bone augmentation is performed around the implant and inside the scaffold in four ways: scaffold only, scaffold+bone graft, bone graft only, and no graft. Sacrifice is performed at 6, 12, and 24 weeks, and the various parameters are compared radiographically and histologically.
Results: HA apposition, cell proliferation, cell attachment, and expression of osteogenic genes increase as the proportion of BGS-7 increase. In the in vivo test, a higher bone-implant contact ratio, bone volume ratio, bone mineral density, and new bone area are observed when the scaffold and bone grafts were used together.
Conclusion: The 3D-printed scaffold, a mixture of BGS-7 and PCL, exhibit higher biological compatibility as the proportion of BGS-7 increase. Additionally, the use of scaffold is effective for vertical bone augmentation.
Keywords: 3D printing; alveolar ridge augmentation; bioglass‐7; polycaprolactone.
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