Shaping the Future of Vertical Bone Augmentation: A Detailed Review of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Biodegradable Scaffolds

Achieving effective alveolar bone augmentation in the vertical dimension presents a significant challenge in periodontal tissue regeneration, particularly for optimizing dental implant procedures. Sufficient alveolar bone height is crucial for successful implant placement. To achieve this, several surgical approaches—such as autologous bone block grafting, distraction osteogenesis, and guided bone regeneration (GBR)—are commonly used, often in combination with natural or synthetic grafting materials. However, these conventional methods face limitations, including morbidity, dimensional instability, structural weaknesses, handling difficulties, and high failure rates. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing, present innovative solutions by enabling the creation of 3D porous scaffolds with essential properties for effective vertical bone augmentation, such as high porosity, interconnected pore structures, and superior handling capabilities. This review highlights the latest developments in GBR techniques and the application of additive manufacturing to produce biodegradable 3D scaffolds for vertical bone enhancement. It critically assesses the roles and limitations of biodegradable polymeric and metallic membranes in this field and introduces an overview of recent progress in vertical bone augmentation with these advanced scaffolds, reflecting the current state and future directions of research.