Additive manufacturing of biomaterials: A review

Abstract

The growing field of 3D printing has undergone impressive expansion because of its flexible manufacturing technique for layer-by-layer part fabrication utilizing CAD models without the requirement for specialist machinery. 3D printing, which was first used to create pre-surgical models, has become a crucial process for creating specific patient instruments, implants, and scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering. The availability of inexpensive printers has stoked renewed interest in the use of stem cells and tailored scaffolds to promote personalized medicine. As a result, the development of printed biomaterials has significantly increased over time. A thorough analysis of current and previous developments in the creation of biomaterials and bioinks is provided in this paper. Intricate tissues, such as those present in the craniomaxillofacial complex's bone, bones, cartilage, muscles, arteries, and nerves, are frequently restored using 3D printers. Furthermore, these printers have been successfully employed in fabricating complex organs featuring intricate 3D microarchitectures, including the liver and lymphoid organs. By shedding light on the latest developments and potential avenues for further exploration, this article aims to highlight the immense potential of 3D printing in tissue engineering and personalized medicine. The ever-growing capabilities of 3D printing technology have the potential to revolutionize the medical field, opening new possibilities for tailored and highly effective treatments.