3D Bioprinting: The Imminent Future of Maxillofacial Rehabilitation

Abstract

Three dimensional (3D) printing is the most widely used technology in reconstructive surgery to fabricate complex maxillofacial prosthesis. 3D Bioprinting, a combination of 3D printing and tissue engineering is a rapidly expanding technology in the field of regenerative medicine for autograft production. It is an additive manufacturing process in which there is computer-aided deposition of living cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) components with a biomaterial in particular combinations, for the fabrication of 3D biologically active tissue. In this review, we introduced the techniques, principles, limitations and future prospects of 3D bioprinting, a method that can open up new avenues in reconstructive surgery, by solving the problem of organ shortage and decreasing the donor site morbidity.