Bioprinting the Craniofacial Region: A New Era in Regenerative Medicine and Dentistry.

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional (3D) printing and bioprinting have emerged as transformative technologies in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Conventional 3D printing enables the fabrication of complex, customizable scaffolds that mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM), providing mechanical support essential for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In contrast, 3D bioprinting integrates biomaterials, growth factors, and living cells into bioinks, allowing the precise layer-by-layer construction of tissue-like structures.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to highlight recent advances and applications of both conventional 3D printing and 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine, with a specific focus on craniofacial tissue regeneration. Particular emphasis is placed on the distinct roles of scaffold-based and cell-laden approaches.

METHODS

A comprehensive analysis of the current literature was conducted to examine both conventional 3D printing and bioprinting approaches used in craniofacial tissue engineering. Emphasis was placed on printing techniques, bioink composition and selection, scaffold design, and cell sources, as well as their applications across multiple tissue types.

RESULTS

Recent developments demonstrate that conventional 3D printing enables the fabrication of customizable scaffolds, whereas 3D bioprinting enables the generation of highly organized, cell-laden constructs that closely resemble native tissue architecture. These technologies have shown promising outcomes in developing patient-specific disease models and regenerative implants for craniofacial tissues, including bone, dental, tracheal, ocular, muscle, and neural tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

3D printing and bioprinting offer powerful platforms for craniofacial regenerative medicine. Ongoing advancements in bioink formulation, printing precision, and biological integration are expected to further enhance their translational and clinical potential.