Recent research has led to the creation of custom-made 3D printed bone scaffolds, which can play a key role in jawbone regeneration. This can have a very positive effect on those that have jaw problems. This is another example of the impact that 3D printing is having on the field of oral health.

Calgary Students Urge “Yes” Vote to Water Fluoridation Debate - Taradale Dental

The jawbone is a critical part of the body. The jaw supports our teeth, allowing us to bite and chew food, and also helps us in speaking and swallowing.

When the jawbone gets damaged, it can cause many problems. Therefore, when this happens, having an effective treatment is important.

Now, a research team has been able to create custom-made 3D printed bone scaffolds, which have the potential to rebuild a jaw [1]. This could have a significant impact on our oral health.

The Jaw

The jawbone is important, but can be easily injured. Causes of jaw pain include teeth grinding, trauma, misaligned bite, tissue problems and general stress.

Moreover, as we get older, the jaw naturally weakens, leaving us vulnerable to jaw problems as we age. Jaw issues can impact quality of life.

In some cases, the pain can develop into a Temporomandibular Disorder, which is a condition that affects jaw movement and commonly causes pain [2].

In some cases, jaw regeneration is required. When this is the case, there are limited treatment options. However, this new research looks to change this.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from the University of Queensland, Australia. Their findings have been published in the Clinical Oral Implants Research journal [1].

The research involved a 46-year-old man who was missing a tooth [1]. The researchers wanted to see if they could reconstruct the jaw in a way that enabled the secure placement of an implant.

This was part of a wider goal of seeing if 3D printing could assist with bone scaffolds for jaw problems. A scaffold can stimulate the process of regenerating bones [1].

The technology used involves polycaprolactone (PCL) and medical grade synthetic polymer. These are compliant with Australian regulatory requirements [1].

Scans of the patient’s mouth were taken. Then, a digital wax-up was created to craft the implant, using dental implant planning software [1].

Additionally, the scaffold was shaped to match the contour of the missing bone area of the man. It was also shaped to allow secure placement of the implant [1].

Once complete, the researchers applied the scaffold. Then, the team waited to see how the jaw reacted to the scaffold. Overall, the scaffold supported the jaw effectively.

Moreover, it also encouraged new bone to grow in the jaw of the man. Therefore, a dental implant with a new tooth was able to be securely inserted [1]. Histological analysis confirmed its ability to support the implant.

The researchers pointed out that due to the nature of how the scaffolds are created, they can be custom designed for each patient. Therefore, this technology can effectively regenerate the jawbone of any patient [1].

If needed, the scaffolds can easily be resorbed, meaning that a complex surgery to remove them is not required [1]. This is due to the technology using biocompatible material. There are clearly many advantages of this.

Author Comments

The authors were very pleased with the results of the research. The research definitively showed safe and effective use of the technology.

One of the authors, biomedical engineer Dr. Reuben Staples, commented on the findings. He said that “our team is the first in Australia to locally manufacture university-developed 3D printed bone scaffold implants for dental reconstruction in human trials using our certified Quality Management System” [3].

Continuing, Staples said that their research proved that “3D printing can be used to create affordable safe and effective bone implant solutions to reconstruct jawbones and teeth for people in need” [3].

In terms of the next steps, more PCL scaffolds will be printed at the University of Queensland’s Oral Health Centre. Then, they will be used in dental reconstructive surgery on 9 more patients [1].

This will allow the researchers to try the technology on a larger sample size. Hopefully, this next phase of research will produce positive results.

3D printing is opening up many possibilities in oral health. As shown with this research, it can have a very positive impact on the industry!

Thinking points…

[1] This research shows that 3D printing could have a very positive impact on the fitting of dental implants. Dental implants are a great solution for anyone who is missing a tooth, as they are low-risk, look natural, and are easy to fit. Here at Taradale Dental, we offer dental implant services. Moreover, we offer a free consultation to discuss implants! You can find out more about us at our website – https://taradaledental.ca/!

[2] While implants are a great option, we should always aim for prevention in terms of our oral health. Therefore, we should try not to ever need implants. By practicing excellent oral hygiene, this can assist with prevention. Also, remember to attend regular dental check-ups. We recommend that you book an appointment soon!

What we offer at Taradale Dental

Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.

We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!

References

[1] Ivanovski, S., Staples, R., Arora, H., Vaquette, C., & Alayan, J. (2024). Alveolar bone regeneration using a 3D-printed patient-specific resorbable scaffold for dental implant placement: A case report. Clinical Oral Implants Research. 35 (12): p1655-1668. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14340.

[2] NHS. (2023). Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/. Last accessed: 25th January 2025.

[3] University of Queensland. (2025). 3D printed scaffolding to rebuild jaw bones: Clinicians have success using custom design. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-3d-scaffolding-rebuild-jaw-bones.html. Last accessed: 25th January 2025.