Bone tissue regeneration is a rapidly evolving field aimed at the development of biocompatible materials and devices, such as scaffolds, to treat diseased and damaged osseous tissue. Functional scaffolds maintain structural integrity and provide mechanical support at the defect site during the healing process, while simultaneously enabling or improving regeneration through amplified cellular cues between the scaffold and native tissues. Ample research on functionalization has been conducted to improve scaffold–host tissue interaction, including fabrication techniques, biomaterial selection, scaffold surface modifications, integration of bioactive molecular additives, and post-processing modifications. Each of these methods plays a crucial role in enabling scaffolds to not only support but actively participate in the healing and regeneration process in bone and joint surgery. This review provides a state-of-the-art, comprehensive overview of the functionalization of scaffold-based strategies used in tissue engineering, specifically for bone regeneration. Critical issues and obstacles are highlighted, applications and advances are described, and future directions are identified.

Since three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged, it has continuously to evolved as a revolutionary technology in surgery, offering new paradigms for reconstructive and regenerative medical applications. This review highlights the integration of 3D printing, specifically bioprinting, across several surgical disciplines over the last five years. The methods employed encompass a review of recent literature focusing on innovations and applications of 3D-bioprinted tissues and/or organs. The findings reveal significant advances in the creation of complex, customized, multi-tissue constructs that mimic natural tissue characteristics, which are crucial for surgical interventions and patient-specific treatments. Despite the technological advances, the paper introduces and discusses several challenges that remain, such as the vascularization of bioprinted tissues, integration with the host tissue, and the long-term viability of bioprinted organs. The review concludes that while 3D bioprinting holds substantial promise for transforming surgical practices and enhancing patient outcomes, ongoing research, development, and a clear regulatory framework are essential to fully realize potential future clinical applications.

Large osseous defects resulting from trauma, tumor resection, or fracture render the inherent ability of the body to repair inadequate and necessitate the use of bone grafts to facilitate the recovery of both form and function of the bony defect sites. In the United States alone, a large number of bone graft procedures are performed yearly, making it an essential area of investigation and research. Synthetic grafts represent a potential alterative to autografts due to their patient-specific customizability, but currently lack widespread acceptance in the clinical space. Early in their development, non-autologous bone grafts composed of metals such as stainless steel and titanium alloys were favorable due to their biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion, mechanical strength, and durability. However, since their inception, bioceramics have also evolved as viable alternatives. This review aims to present an overview of the fundamental prerequisites for tissue engineering devices using bioceramics as well as to provide a comprehensive account of their historical usage and significant advancements over time. This review includes a summary of commonly used manufacturing techniques and an evaluation of their use as drug carriers and bioactive coatings—for therapeutic ion/drug release, and potential avenues to further enhance hard tissue regeneration.

This manuscript reviews the transformative impact of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technologies in the treatment and management of cleft lip and palate (CLP), highlighting its application across presurgical planning, surgical training, implantable scaffolds, and postoperative care. By integrating patient-specific data through computer-aided design and manufacturing, 3D printing offers tailored solutions that improve surgical outcomes, reduce operation times, and enhance patient care. The review synthesizes current research findings, technical advancements, and clinical applications, illustrating the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize CLP treatment. Further, it discusses the future directions of combining 3D printing with other innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, 4D printing, and in situ bioprinting for more comprehensive care strategies. This paper underscores the necessity for multidisciplinary collaboration and further research to overcome existing challenges and fully utilize the capabilities of 3D printing in CLP repair.

The energy state of endosteal implants is dependent on the material, manufacturing technique, cleaning procedure, sterilization method, and surgical manipulation. An implant surface carrying a positive charge renders hydrophilic properties, thereby facilitating the absorption of vital plasma proteins crucial for osteogenic interactions. Techniques to control the surface charge involve processes like oxidation, chemical and topographical adjustments as well as the application of nonthermal plasma (NTP) treatment. NTP at atmospheric pressure and at room temperature can induce chemical and/or physical reactions that enhance wettability through surface energy changes. NTP has thus been used to modify the oxide layer of endosteal implants that interface with adjacent tissue cells and proteins. Results have indicated that if applied prior to implantation, NTP strengthens the interaction with surrounding hard tissue structures during the critical phases of early healing, thereby promoting rapid bone formation. Also, during this time period, NTP has been found to result in enhanced biomechanical fixation. As such, the application of NTP may serve as a practical and reliable method to improve healing outcomes. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the parameters to be considered in the application of NTP on endosteal implants. In addition, the short- and long-term effects of NTP on osseointegration are addressed, as well as recent advances in the utilization of NTP in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Non-resorbable dental barrier membranes entail the risk of dehiscence due to their smooth and functionally inert surfaces. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment has been shown to increase the hydrophilicity of a biomaterials and could thereby enhance cellular adhesion. This study aimed to elucidate the role of allyl alcohol NTP treatment of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) in its cellular adhesion. The materials (non-treated PTFE membranes (NTMem) and NTP-treated PTFE membranes (PTMem)) were subjected to characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Cells were seeded upon the different membranes, and cellular adhesion was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using fluorescence labeling and a hemocytometer, respectively. PTMem exhibited higher surface energies and the incorporation of reactive functional groups. NTP altered the surface topography and chemistry of PTFE membranes, as seen through SEM, XPS and ESCA, with partial defluorination and polymer chain breakage. Fluorescence labeling indicated significantly higher cell populations on PTMem relative to its untreated counterparts (NTMem). The results of this study support the potential applicability of allyl alcohol NTP treatment for polymeric biomaterials such as PTFE—to increase cellular adhesion for use as dental barrier membranes.