CBCT data could aid periodontal tissue regeneration

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 24. August 2023

save

ATHENS, Greece: Leveraging advancements in 3D printing, researchers in Greece have outlined a methodology for designing patient-specific 3D scaffolds for periodontal tissue regeneration using CBCT data. Early results suggest that using this CBCT data to create 3D models of the hard tissue around periodontal defects holds promise for individualised periodontal treatments. The ultimate goal is to produce bioabsorbable 3D-printed scaffolds that double as sustained-release drug carriers, targeting periodontitis.

Periodontitis leads to osseous defects compromising tooth support. Traditional methods like grafting utilise donor bone tissue as scaffolds for new bone formation. However, ensuring a perfect fit to prevent soft-tissue proliferation remains a challenge. The emergence of CBCT-based 3D modelling offers a promising solution. This innovative approach aims to design patient-specific scaffolds, setting the stage for personalised periodontitis treatment and broader clinical applications.

The process involves two key scaffold design methods: one for periodontal defect customised block grafts and another for extraction socket preservation customised grafts. The significance of the methods lies in the personalisation of treatment using CBCT data to model the teeth and alveolar bone in regions with periodontal defects.

Both models of the scaffolds and models of the hard tissue around the periodontal damage were 3D-printed using a fused deposition modelling 3D printer. Such advancements lay the foundation for the 3D printing of bioabsorbable scaffolds which are tailored for periodontitis treatment and which can also potentially act as drug delivery systems.

The research’s novelty resides in its emphasis on detailing the scaffold design process and its capability of capturing intricate osseous defects and thereby producing highly accurate scaffolds. This research paves the way for future exploration and clinical applications, including improved image segmentation algorithms, comparisons of 3D-printing techniques, utilisation of biodegradable materials for drug delivery and the clinical testing of 3D-printed grafts in patients. However, a significant limitation is the study’s inability to compare the accuracy of the CBCT models with real patient scenarios, underscoring the need for future collaborations with clinical researchers. As biotechnological advancements continue, it is anticipated that related ethical and regulatory challenges will be addressed.

The study, titled “CBCT-based design of patient-specific 3D bone grafts for periodontal regeneration”, was published online on 30 July 2023 in Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

Metformin could help prevent oral and systemic disease in periodontal patients

LONDON, UK: Factors such as glucose metabolism, nutrition, oxidative stress and ageing drive periodontal progression. However, current periodontal ...

Breakthrough in guided bone regeneration: 3D printing paves the way for advanced scaffolds

BRISBANE, Australia: A team of biomedical researchers at the University of Queensland in Brisbane have undertaken a groundbreaking study that demonstrates ...

Sequencing of sea cucumber genome may help with tissue regeneration

QINGDAO, China: Researchers at the Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new high-definition sequence of the sea cucumber’s...

Research discovery could help create stronger, more durable dental fillings

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada/LONDON, U.K.: Given that more than 2.3 billion people are estimated to suffer from dental caries, any potential advances in dental...

Big data could mean better outcomes for implantology

Big data use in dental research is proving quite useful in identifying potential confounding variables and health factors that could affect treatment ...

Dental teams could help detect undiagnosed diabetes in patients

BIRMINGHAM, England: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in Europe and is strongly associated with periodontitis. An estimated one in ...

GC hosts successful symposium on biomaterials for periodontal regeneration

GENEVA, Switzerland: Last week, GC International held the Symposium on Innovation in Biomaterials for Periodontal Regeneration as part of the CED/NOF-IADR ...

New study could help reduce pain in oral cancer patients

NEW YORK, US: Oral tumours can cause agonising pain and thus greatly impair the quality of life of patients. Researchers from the New York University ...

New study could help shape guidelines for GenAI use in dental education

RIGA, Latvia: As artificial intelligence (AI) is slowly taking root in dentistry and has the potential to improve clinical care, researchers are performing ...

Overview provides insight into new approaches into periodontal regeneration

TAIPEI, Taiwan: Conventional periodontal therapies, while effective to a degree, often fall short of fully restoring the complex architecture and function ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 23 October 2025
1:00 pm EST (New York)