Table 1.
Advantages of synthetic and natural polymers that have been used in bone tissue engineering applications.
| Type | Polymer | Advantages | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic | PLA | Biodegradable; controllable geometry | [59,62] |
| PCL | Biocompatibility; ease of manipulation | [67] | |
| PLGA | Controllable degradation | [59,68] | |
| PGA | Nontoxic in degradation | [62] | |
| PVA | Low protein absorption; high water solubility | [69] | |
| Natural | Collagen | Naturally found in ECM; improves biocompatibility; biodegradable | [70,71] |
| Fibrin | Growth factors; co-enzymes | [72] | |
| Gelatin | Improved osteoinduction | [73] | |
| Chitosan | Osteoconductivity; interaction with charged molecules; resistance to bacteria | [74,75] | |
| Silk | Strong natural fiber; ease of processing; controllable degradation | [76] |