[Synthesis and characteristics of integrated bionic mandibular condylar scaffold].
OBJECTIVE This study aims to construct a chitosan (CS)-polycaprolactone (PCL)-hydroxyapatite (HA) composite biomimetic scaffold to replace condyle and to explore the tissue engineering applications of condylar.


METHODS
A resin mold of the mandibular condyle was prepared by using rapid prototyping techniques. A mandibular condylar integrated biomimetic scaffold model was prepared by solution casting-ice Lek. PCL and CS were mixed at a ratio of 4:1. HA at quality ratios of 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% was added to groups a, b, c, and d, respectively. The microscopic morphology, porosity, infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern, and mechanical properties of the scaffold were observed.


RESULTS
The scaffold that includes both upper and lower parts displayed the same features (i.e., shape, yellow-white appearance, and hard texture) as the mandibular condyle. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite scaffold had a 3D network spatial structure, 70%-85% porosity, and 10-200 µm pore size. Infrared spectra showed that the peak intensity reduced with decreasing HA content. X-ray diffraction showed that the diffraction peak decreased with increasing HA content. Suitable tensile and compressive and flexural strength were discovered in the presence of 50% HA.


CONCLUSIONS
The scaffold prepared by solution casting-ice Lek shows favorable comprehensive features and is expected to replace human condylar.
Xi
X
Weihong
Wang
W
Zhen
Zhu
Z
Hong-shui
Li
L
Xiaofeng
Xiong
X
Yuanfei
D048271:Chitosan; D017886:Durapatite; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D048271:Chitosan; D017886:Durapatite