3D-printed/electrospun bioresorbable nanofibrous drug-eluting cuboid frames for repair of alveolar bone defects

Despite progress in clinical science, the repair and restoration of alveolar bone defects remains as a challenge, particularly for nonuniform and complex defects. We developed bioresorbable nanofibrous drug-eluting cuboid frames for alveolar bone repair using three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning technologies. The cuboid frames comprised polylactide (PLA) cages and ketorolac and amoxicillin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers that imitated the morphology of the natural extracellular matrix of bone tissues. Characteristics of the printed frame and electrospun nanofibers were evaluated. The in vitro and in vivo release characteristics of the drugs embedded in the nanofibers were estimated using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. In addition, the in vivo efficacies of the PLA cuboid frame and drug-eluting nanofibers for the treatment of alveolar bone defects were evaluated in a rat model. The experimental data indicated that the nanofibrous PLA frame provided a sustained release of ketorolac and amoxicillin for over 4 weeks. The results of the in vivo animal test also indicated that the animals that were implanted with the drug-eluting cuboid frame exhibited significantly greater movement than the animals with no frame. Histological analysis revealed no sign of adverse effects of the drug-eluting frames. By adopting 3D printing and electrospinning technologies, resorbable drug-eluting cuboid frames can be successfully manufactured for maxillofacial applications.