3DGENESIS

This project aims to address the challenges associated with maxillary sinus floor elevation, a key procedure for the successful placement of dental implants intended to replace lost teeth. It seeks to design a new generation of flexible, hierarchical scaffolds, 3D printed via fused filament fabrication (FFF), capable of promoting bone regeneration while reducing the risks associated with current methods, in particular perforation of the sinus membrane or biomaterial leakage. These scaffolds will be bioactive, bioresorbable, and exhibit tailored mechanical properties.

In this framework, the FARE laboratory will be responsible for developing TPU-, PLA-, and lignin-based materials and characterizing their microstructure, while the BIOS laboratory will assess the biological performance of the scaffolds. The Centre for Materials and Processes (CERI MP) of IMT Nord Europe will coordinate the project, produce coaxial core–shell filaments for 3D printing, fabricate scaffolds with controlled and multiscale porosity, and carry out optimization as well as structural and mechanical characterization. Particular attention will be given to the creation of interconnected porosity at the micro-, meso-, and macroscopic scales, in order to promote cell adhesion and proliferation across all surfaces of the structures, while ensuring the efficient transport of nutrients required for their development.