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Materials Science in Additive Manufacturing Hydrogels in mandibular reconstruction

transformative shift from fundamental research to clinical Authors’ contributions
translation in mandibular defect repair. Addressing the
unique anatomical complexity, dynamic mechanical Conceptualization: All authors
loading, and functional integration requirements of the Visualization: Yiwen Zhang, Yilan Sun
mandible, this review examines the design considerations Writing–original draft: Yiwen Zhang, Yilan Sun
and applications of hydrogels in mandibular regeneration. Writing–review and editing: All authors
By synthesizing current achievements in this field, we aim Ethics approval and consent to participate
to deepen understanding and motivate future research.
Not applicable.
Regarding hydrogel design, ideal hydrogels for
mandibular regeneration should combine exceptional Consent for publication
physical properties – including adequate mechanical Not applicable.
strength, adhesive properties, and injectability – with superior
biological performance, encompassing antibacterial activity Availability of data
and controlled biodegradability. Although numerous
studies demonstrate the therapeutic potential of hydrogels Not applicable.
in mandibular defects, clinical translation remains References
hindered by limitations such as functional constraints,
procedural complexities, and insufficient comprehensive 1. Hayden RE, Mullin DP, Patel AK. Reconstruction of the
safety evaluations. Therefore, intensified fundamental segmental mandibular defect: Current state of the art. Curr
research and high-quality clinical trials are urgently needed Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012;20(4):231-236.
to accelerate material development. Future research should doi: 10.1097/MOO.0b013e328355d0f3
prioritize the following directions: (1) developing hydrogel 2. Paré A, Bossard A, Laure B, Weiss P, Gauthier O, Corre P.
materials with enhanced biocompatibility and mechanical Reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects: Current
strength through advanced crosslinking strategies and procedures and perspectives. Laryngoscope Investig
composite formulations; (2) exploring novel antimicrobial Otolaryngol. 2019;4(6):587-596.
mechanisms and components to optimize hydrogel doi: 10.1002/lio2.325
performance in the complex oral microenvironment;
(3) utilizing 4D bioprinting technology to enable printed 3. Al Maruf DSA, Ghosh YA, Xin H, et al. Hydrogel: A potential
structures to dynamically alter their contours, properties, material for bone tissue engineering repairing the segmental
mandibular defect. Polymers (Basel). 2022;14(19):4186.
and functionalities in response to external stimuli over time,
achieving personalized mandibular reconstruction; and doi: 10.3390/polym14194186
(4) establishing standardized animal models and clinical 4. Zhou B, Jiang X, Zhou X, et al. GelMA-based bioactive
validation systems to rigorously assess hydrogel efficacy hydrogel scaffolds with multiple bone defect repair functions:
and biosafety. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and therapeutic strategies and recent advances. Biomater Res.
technological innovation, we anticipate overcoming current 2023;27(1):86.
technical barriers and elevating mandibular repair to doi: 10.1186/s40824-023-00422-6
unprecedented levels of precision and clinical applicability.
5. Kumar A, Rao KM, Han SS. Synthesis of mechanically stiff
Acknowledgments and bioactive hybrid hydrogels for bone tissue engineering
applications. Chem Eng J. 2017;317:119-131.
All authors have read and agreed to the published version. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2017.02.065
The authors thank all the participants for their efforts and
dedication to the writing of this manuscript. 6. Bai X, Gao M, Syed S, Zhuang J, Xu X, Zhang XQ.
Bioactive hydrogels for bone regeneration. Bioact Mater.
Funding 2018;3(4):401-417.

This work was supported by the National Natural Science doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2018.05.006
Foundation of China (No. 82170923) and the Fundamental 7. Yue S, He H, Li B, Hou T. Hydrogel as a biomaterial for
Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (No. bone tissue engineering: A review. Nanomaterials (Basel).
YG2023LC06). 2020;10(8):1511.
doi: 10.3390/nano10081511
Conflicts of interest
8. Al Maruf DSA, Parthasarathi K, Cheng K, et al. Current and
The authors declare that they have no competing interests. future perspectives on biomaterials for segmental mandibular

Volume 4 Issue 2 (2025) 15 doi: 10.36922/MSAM025070006