Customization of Load‐Bearing Hydroxyapatite Lattice Scaffolds

Robocasting, a solid freeform fabrication technique, was used to develop lattices of hydroxyapatite (HA) that show promise as load‐bearing scaffolds for bone repair. Additionally, the lattice scaffolds can be shaped into customized implants. A computed tomography (CT) scan of a damaged mandible was utilized to noninvasively design a lattice implant that could fill the damaged region. In a case study, the fit of the custom lattice scaffold was tested in a damaged mandible and “fit like a glove.” Such implants may be able to replace numerous autograft procedures, thereby reducing surgical cost and complications associated with bone harvesting surgery.