Table 4.

Global trend: The study of scaffolds’ functional characteristics

Article	Institution/Country	Description
Kim et al. (2018)[38] “In vivo evaluation of 3D Printed PCL scaffold combined with β-TCP for alveolar bone augmentation.”	Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials Korea Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seoul	In vivo studies are primordial for studying the performance of scaffolds inside the body. In this study, 3D printed PCL scaffolds are implanted to evaluate the effect in bone augmentation of two different lattice designs and the addition of β-TCP
Do et al. (2015)[31] “3D Printing of Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration Applications”	University of Iowa USA	3D printing can mimic the ECM by producing scaffolds with a high degree of complexity, where fine details can be included at a micro level. The criteria for printing viable and functional scaffolds, scaffolding materials and 3D printing technologies are assessed. Scaffolds should mimic ECM characteristics in terms of biological activity, mechanical strength, processability, and controllable degradation rates. Moreover, it is important to determine the inflammatory effect of the biomaterial(s) used and the scaffold structure designed to produce the desired tissue. Porosity, layer configuration, mechanical properties, and morphology are also characteristics to consider.
Bencherif et al.[39] “advances in the design of macroporous polymer scaffolds for potential applications in dentistry”	Harvard University USA École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Switzerland	Pore size and porosity are crucial when designing scaffolds in the tissue engineering domain as they influence tissue production and function. This includes cell distribution, interconnection throughout engineered tissues, and diffusion of nutrients and oxygen, specifically in the absence of a functional vascular system. 3D nano-fibrous gelatine/silica bioactive glass hybrid scaffolds that mimic the nanostructured architecture and chemical composition of a dental ECM are applied to improve odontogenic differentiation and biomineralization of human dental pulp stem cells

ECM: Extracellular matrix, PCL: Polycaprolactone, PLA: Polylactic acid, β TCP: Beta-tricalcium phosphate, 3D: Three-dimensional