Titanium and its alloys are widely used for dental and medical biomaterials due to their excellent mechanical and biological advantages. After the introduction of direct laser metal sintering (DLMS) 3D printing technology and its use over conventional machine-cut processes, questions remain regarding whether 3D-printed titanium (alloy) devices have similar biological properties to machine-cut counterparts for dental applications. Thus, this work focuses on comparing the biological activities of machine-cut and 3D-printed specimens after optimizing the DLMS 3D-printing conditions in terms of the mechanophysical characteristics. The DLMS 3D-printing (as a function of the laser spacing from 30-100μm) and post-surface treatment (as-given or sand-blasted) conditions were optimized using medical-grade Ti-6Al-4V powders in terms of the inner pore amount, mechanical properties, roughness and hydrophilicity. Then, the initial cell adhesion of the optimized DLMS 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V specimen was compared with that of the machine-cut Ti-6Al-4V specimen against human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) and mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which are representative of direct-contact cell types of orofacial mucosa and bone, respectively. hMSC differentiation on the specimens was conducted for up to 21 days to measure the osteogenic gene expression and biomineralization. Laser spacings of 30-40μm had fewer inner defects and consequently a higher three-point flexural strength and elastic modulus compared to other larger laser spacings. Depending on the span width (0.3-1mm) in the lattice architecture, the elastic modulus of the 3D-printed cuboid specimen can be further controlled (up to ∼30 times). The sand-blasted specimens after 3D printing revealed lower surface roughness and higher hydrophilicity compared to the as-3D printed specimen, which were considered optimal conditions for biological study. Initial hDF and hMSC adhesion for 12 hr and hMSC differentiation on the surface were comparable between the sand-blasted 3D-printed and machine-cut specimens in terms of adherent cell numbers, vinculin intensity, osteogenic gene expression and biomineralization. The optimized DLMS 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V specimen had similar biological properties to those of the machine-cut counterpart, suggesting the potential usefulness of 3D printing technology for a wide range of dental applications.

The objective of this study was to place bone graft materials in cranial defects in a rabbit model and compare their bone regenerating ability according to the size and density of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM). We selected nine healthy male rabbits that were raised under the same conditions and that weighed about 3 kg. Two circular defects 8 mm in diameter were created in each side of the cranium. The defects were grafted with DDM using four different particle sizes and densities: 0.1 mL of 0.25- to 1.0-mm particles (group 1); 0.2 mL of 0.25- to 1.0-mm particles (group 2); 0.1 mL of 1.0- to 2.0-mm particles (group 3); and 0.2 mL of 1.0- to 2.0-mm particles (group 4). After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed, and bone samples were evaluated by means of histologic, histomorphometric, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis. In group 1, osteoblast activity and bone formation were greater than in the other three groups on histological examination. In groups 2, 3, and 4, dense connective tissue was seen around original bone even after 8 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis of representative sections in group 1 showed a higher rate of new bone formation, but the difference from the other groups was not statistically significant. RT-PCR analysis indicated a correlation between bone formation and protein (osteonectin and osteopontin) expression. DDM with a space between particles of 200 μm was effective in bone formation, suggesting that materials with a small particle size could reasonably be used for bone grafting.

Park HC, et al. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2016 Oct;42(5):243-250. https://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.5.243

This study examined the osteoinductive activity of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) from human and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) for nude mice. Twenty healthy nude mice, weighing about 15~20 g, were used for the study. DDM from human and PDRN were prepared and implanted subcutaneously into the dorsal portion of the nude mice. The nude mice were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after grafting and evaluated histologically by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. The specimens were also evaluated via a histomorphometric study. The DDM and PDRN induced new bone, osteoblasts, and fibroblasts in soft tissues. The histological findings showed bone-forming cells like osteoblasts and fibroblasts at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. New bone formation was observed in the histomorphometric study. In particular, the ratio of new bone formation was the highest at 2 weeks compared with the first week and fourth week. In this study, we showed that the PDRN used in this experimental model was able to induce bone regeneration when combined to the DDM.

Yoon-Ji Kim, Moon-Young Kim, Nayansi Jha, Min-Ho Jung, Yong-Dae Kwon, Ho Gyun Shin, Min Jung Ko, Sang Ho Jun. Korean J Orthod 2024;54:89-107. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod23.194