3D printing of ceramic-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: an overview

Currently, one of the most promising strategies in bone tissue engineering focuses on the development of biomimetic scaffolds. Ceramic-based scaffolds with favorable osteogenic ability and mechanical properties are promising candidates for bone repair. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing technique, which allows the fabrication of patient-specific scaffolds with high structural complexity and design flexibility, and gains growing attention. This review aims to highlight advances in 3D printing of ceramic-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Technical limitations and practical challenges are emphasized and design considerations are also discussed.