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March 28, 2026Journal of Materials Research and Technology2 citationsOpen Access

A Critical Review on Advanced Functional Bioceramics Fabricated by SLA for Precision Implant Applications

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PCPalivela Bhargav ChandanInstitute of EngineeringAPAmrit Raj PaulInstitute of Management TechnologyMSMohit Kumar SahuIndian Institute of Technology Delhi

Key Points

  • This review aims to analyze advancements in SLA technology for producing functional bioceramics used in biomedical implants.
  • Critical examination of SLA techniques for bioceramics
  • Analysis of slurry formulation and photopolymerization dynamics
  • Correlation of printing parameters with mechanical properties
  • Discussion of emerging innovations in SLA-based manufacturing
  • SLA enables complex bioceramic constructs with customizable performance
  • Identified challenges in achieving optimal mechanical integrity and porosity
  • Outlined applications in bone tissue engineering and dental restorations
  • Highlighted relevance of architectural design in controlling bioactivity

Abstract

The convergence of advanced bioceramics and stereolithography (SLA)-based additive manufacturing (AM) is redefining the design and fabrication of precision biomedical implants. Conventional ceramic processing routes, while mature, are fundamentally constrained in producing patient-specific geometries, hierarchical porosity, and functionally graded architectures essential for next-generation regenerative applications. SLA, a vat-photopolymerization technique, offers unparalleled resolution, geometric freedom, and microarchitectural control, enabling the fabrication of complex bio-ceramic constructs with tunable biological and mechanical performance. This review critically examines recent advancements in SLA-based manufacturing of functional bioceramics, including hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, zirconia, alumina, bioglass, and composite systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the interdependence between slurry formulation (solid loading, rheology, dispersant chemistry, photo initiator systems), photopolymerization dynamics, and post-processing strategies such as debinding and sintering. The manuscript systematically correlates printing parameters—including laser power, exposure energy, scanning speed, and layer thickness—with microstructural features, porosity, dimensional shrinkage, and mechanical integrity of the final constructs. Emerging innovations such as digital light processing (DLP), two-photon polymerization (TPP), multi-material printing, and AI-assisted process monitoring are also discussed in the context of improving reproducibility and clinical scalability. Furthermore, the biomedical relevance of SLA-fabricated bioceramics is analyzed through applications in bone tissue engineering, dental restorations, and craniofacial implants, highlighting the ability to engineer bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and controlled resorption profiles through architectural design and surface functionalization. Persistent challenges—including light scattering in highly loaded slurries, defect formation during thermal processing, and the balance between porosity and mechanical strength—are critically evaluated. By consolidating material science, processing optimization, and biomedical performance considerations, this review provides a strategic roadmap for advancing SLA-enabled bioceramic technologies toward reliable, high-performance, and clinically translatable precision implant systems.

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Cite This Study

Chandan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c772158bbfbc51511e25cahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2026.03.188
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