A 3D printed magnesium ammonium phosphate/polycaprolactone composite membrane for Guided bone regeneration

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a widely utilized technique for alveolar bone augmentation and the GBR membrane plays a crucial role in this procedure. However, developing a membrane that possesses both mechanical property and biodegradability still remains a challenge. In this study, MgNH4PO4·6H2O (MNP) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were utilized to prepare a novel MNP-PCL composite GBR membrane via 3D printing method, and five different radios of MNP were included (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 wt%). All samples were well prepared into 25 mm × 25 mm square membranes with a thickness of about 0.8 mm. The membranes exhibited promising interconnected network structure with great distribution uniformity, mechanical properties, and biodegradability. Additionally, the membranes also possessed the capacities of sustained magnesium ions release (4 weeks at least) and weakly alkaline environment maintainance (pH 8.0–––8.5), which might be beneficial for promoting bone formation, this hypothesis was then confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies that the adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 and new bone formation were signicantly enhanced on 10 % and 15 % MNP-PCL surfaces. In summary, the MNP-PCL membrane may providing a new approach for the development of GBR membranes in the future.