Title: Custom 3D printed implantable biomedical devices for guided mandible bone regeneration
Funder: The Academy of Medical Sciences

Abstract: Tooth loss is one of the most frequent oral diseases worldwide, representing a significant health and socio-economic problem. In the UK, dental implant procedures are leading to a substantial financial burden (>£320m/year), which is expected to increase as consequence of the ageing global population. This project aims to develop a patient-specific 3D printed membrane with functional properties and a multi-layered architecture for guided mandible bone regeneration. To achieve this, the following objectives have been identified: OB1:Manufacture a membrane with a functionally graded architecture. OB2:Assess the membrane physicochemical properties, including mechanical performance and degradation rate. OB3:Evaluate the membrane ability to support bone tissue regeneration, prevent gingival cell invasion and avoid bacterial infections in vitro. Guided bone regeneration is a procedure widely applied for the reconstruction of bone defects prior to dental implant placement. The approach is based on the use of a membrane to cover the defect site, direct the growth of new bone while preventing connective tissue invasion into the defected area. While this procedure has considerably improved dental implant placement, many drawbacks still limit its clinical success, including the deficiency of membranes with adequate biomechanical properties and architectures to mimic the gingival/bone tissue interface, high incidence of infections and lack of patient-specific strategies. In addition to the cost savings achievable using 3D printing and the amelioration of challenges associated with conventional techniques, the proposed solution is expected to provide significant patient and healthcare provider benefits with potential to be exploited in the treatment of other dental-related diseases.

Lay abstract: Among oral diseases, tooth loss is one of the most frequent worldwide and it is expected to increase by 20% by 2050 as a consequence of the ageing global population. In the UK, about 130,000 dental implants are placed every year, with associated costs higher than £320m. Guided bone regeneration is a flexible surgical procedure used before dental implant placement. During the procedure, a physical membrane is used to cover the affected area to avoid gingival tissue growth and prevent the formation of new bone tissue. This method has considerably improved dental implant placement, but there are still big challenges when using available membranes in clinical dentistry. For instance, they are difficult to handle, can transmit diseases and cause infections, and they are not personalised for each patient. This project will address these problems by: 1) developing a patient-specific membrane, easy to handle and using active biomaterials and 3D-printing, 2) preventing infections at wound site, 3) testing the ability to help the growth of new jaw bone and gum tissue. Other benefits through the use of this new membrane include reduced costs and improved surgical performances in comparison to the membranes currently used by dentists. Moreover, this 3D-printed membrane will greatly lessen patient recovery time, which in turn will benefit wider society allowing people to live healthier and happier lives. Benefits for the healthcare sector will extend beyond dental implants as this approach has the potential for use in the treatment of other dental diseases.

Research activity codes: 5.4 SURGERY
Health categories: ORAL AND GASTROINTESTINAL;MUSCULOSKELETAL