PhD defence Sophia Dalfino

Keywords: Additive manufacturing, Scaffolds, Bone tissue engineering, Bioactive materials

"The Many Faces of Regeneration: Engineering multifunctional scaffolds for craniomaxillofacial applications"

A mandibular bone defect is a condition in which part of the lower jaw is missing. People affected by large mandibular defects often face serious challenges, including difficulties with chewing, speaking, and daily activities. These defects can be caused by accidents, congenital conditions or by surgery to remove oral tumours. Currently, the standard treatment involves replacing the missing bone with a piece of bone taken from the patient’s leg. While effective, this surgery is complex, invasive, and can cause long-term complications. As oral cancer cases continue to rise worldwide, so does the need for effective mandibular reconstruction. 

This thesis explores alternative solutions based on bone tissue engineering, a field that aims to help the body regenerate its own bone. Instead of using bone from another part of the body, researchers design biodegradable 3D constructs, called scaffolds, to support new bone and blood vessel formation. Different scaffold shapes, materials, surface modifications, and combinations with soft hydrogels were investigated to improve bone growth and vascularization. Together, these approaches show how multifunctional scaffolds can better support bone regeneration. While further research is needed, this work contributes to the development of less invasive and more effective future treatments for mandibular regeneration. 

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