Hierarchical porous formation, collagen and mineralized collagen modification of polylactic acid to design mimicked scaffolds for maxillofacial bone surgery

Abstract

An imperfection of maxillofacial bone tissue may require an implantation of a mimicked scaffold to treat the defect. Mimicked scaffolds similar to native tissue were fabricated of, polylactic acid (PLA) into porous scaffolds by salt leaching. PLA was mixed with 60% (PLA60), 70% (PLA70) and 80% (PLA80) of salt particles sized 120–250μm. The mixed PLAs were then formed into sheets by compression molding before leaching in water for 48h. Afterward, the samples were cut into small pieces and coated by collagen and mineralized collagen. The samples were checked for structural and morphological organization using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Porosity and density were tested according to ASTM C373-88. The structures of the PLA70 and PLA80 porous scaffolds were more stable than the PLA60 scaffold. Pore size and porosity depended on the amount of salt particles. The porous structures had mainly large pores with small pores. The modified porous scaffolds showed a layer of collagen and mineralized collagen fibrils on the surface. The results indicated that hierarchical porous formation, collagen and mineralized collagen modification showed promise in the design of mimicked scaffolds for maxillofacial bone surgery.