MINI REVIEW article

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 30 June 2022

Sec. Biomaterials

Volume 10 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.869191

Impact of Frontier Development of Alveolar Bone Grafting on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

  • 1. School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States

  • 2. Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States

  • 3. Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States

  • 4. Key Laboratory of Shannxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

  • 5. Clinical Research Center of Shannxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

  • 6. Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

  • 7. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States

  • 8. School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Sufficient alveolar bone is a safeguard for achieving desired outcomes in orthodontic treatment. Moving a tooth into an alveolar bony defect may result in a periodontal defect or worse–tooth loss. Therefore, when facing a pathologic situation such as periodontal bone loss, alveolar clefts, long-term tooth loss, trauma, and thin phenotype, bone grafting is often necessary to augment bone for orthodontic treatment purposes. Currently, diverse bone grafts are used in clinical practice, but no single grafting material shows absolutely superior results over the others. All available materials demonstrate pros and cons, most notably donor morbidity and adverse effects on orthodontic treatment. Here, we review newly developed graft materials that are still in the pre-clinical stage, as well as new combinations of existing materials, by highlighting their effects on alveolar bone regeneration and orthodontic tooth movement. In addition, novel manufacturing techniques, such as bioprinting, will be discussed. This mini-review article will provide state-of-the-art information to assist clinicians in selecting grafting material(s) that enhance alveolar bone augmentation while avoiding unfavorable side effects during orthodontic treatment.

Introduction

To avoid fenestrations or dehiscences during orthodontic tooth movement, it is critical for alveolar bone to possess adequate contour, thickness, and quality (; ; ). Orthodontically moving teeth into a region with reduced alveolar bone can worsen the periodontal status, slow down tooth movement, and cause root resorption or even tooth loss (). Clinical scenarios such as severe periodontitis, congenital alveolar clefts, long-term tooth loss, and trauma can induce alveolar bone loss (). Thus, augmentation of insufficient bone volume is often indicated prior to the initiation of orthodontic treatment.

In addition, patients with a thin phenotype have narrow alveolar bone support, which significantly limits the range of orthodontic tooth movement. To address this issue, the periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) technique has been developed to broaden the biological range of orthodontic treatment by adding bone grafting material to the alveolar cortical surface (). Pre-orthodontic bone grafting can also promote easier and less detrimental tooth movement through primary woven bone (). Ideally, bone graft materials for orthodontic treatment should protect the teeth from complications and enhance the alveolar bone phenotype.

Based on where bone grafts are sourced, they may be categorized as autografts, allografts, xenografts, or synthetics. Autografts prevail amongst these categories in the maxillofacial region and are the current gold standard as they [1] consist of an abundance of spongy bone that is close to the alveolar bone structure, [2] display osteoconductive and osteoinductive potential (; ; ), and [3] promote periodontal regeneration () without significantly unfavorable sequelae when teeth are orthodontically moved into grafted areas (). However, the drawbacks of autografts are substantial, including but not limited to inadequate availability, expensive cost, mismatched size, and inevitable additional surgery for autograft harvest (). These limitations lend support to the use of substitute graft materials.

Allografts, such as decalcified freeze-dried bone allogeneic grafts (DFDBA) and freeze-dried bone allogeneic grafts (FDBA), are orthodontic-friendly (); however, their osteoinductive potency is not conclusive (). Xenografts, such as Bio-Oss® and Gen-Tech®, are the most common alveolar grafting materials for clinical use. They are successful when used for alveolar bone augmentation (), but can severely impair orthodontic treatment and cause substantial root resorption when teeth are moved into the grafted region (). Although synthetic bone grafts, such as NanoBone® and BoneCeramic®, also promote bone augmentation, major adverse effects (namely root resorption and gingival invagination) make them an unfavorable choice for pre-orthodontic alveolar bone grafting (). Therefore, there is an emerging need for new grafting materials to be not only osteoinductive and osteoconductive but also supportive of highly active bone metabolism during orthodontic tooth movement without adverse effects.

In this review, we highlight recent research advances in novel alveolar graft materials, as well as new combinations of previously developed materials, with a focus on orthodontic applications supported by pre-clinical and clinical evidence (Table 1).

TABLE 1

MaterialsReferencesCombinatory MaterialsType of StudyAlveolar Bone Regeneration EfficiencySide EffectsImpact on Orthodontics
VolumeCellular ActivityInflammationPainGraft FailureTooth Movement RateAdverse Effect
BMP2poly [D,L-(lactide-co-glycolide)]/gelatin sponge complexAnimal study (dog)Significantly greater regenerated bone than spongiosa autograftMore osteoinductive activity associated with rhBMP2N/AN/AN/ABoth rhBMP2 and spongiosa groups showed similar responses to orthodontic force as normal alveolar boneRoot resorption on pressure side with rhBMP2
DBM scaffoldClinical study (secondary alveolar cleft repair)Comparable bone regrowth and density as autologous iliac crest bone graftN/ASelf-limited facial swelling, minor wound dehiscenceImproved without interventionNo increase in serious adverse events compared to iliac bone graftSimilar spontaneous canine eruption rate was observed among rhBMP2 and iliac crest bone groupsN/A
N/AClinical study (PAOO)A highly significant increase in bone density compared to conventional corticotomy procedureBMP-2 stimulates recruitment and differentiation of osteoclastsNo significant difference on wound healingNo significant difference on pain scoresN/AReduced orthodontic treatment timeN/A
BMP2-functionalized BioCaP granulesAnimal study (dogs)Compared to bovine xenograft: 1.25-fold enhanced bone formation, 1.42-fold more graft resorption, 1.36-fold higher bone densityBMP mediated osteogenesis-angiogenesis couplingReduced inflammation compared to bovine xenograftNot observedN/ASlightly reduced orthodontic tooth movement rate but statistically not significant compared to bovine xenograftLess root resorption and reduced periodontal probing depth compared to bovine xenograft
β-TCPN/AAnimal study (goats)More bone ingrowth than autografted iliac bone grafts, but the difference was not significantNo significant difference between β-TCP and iliac bone groupsNo significant differenceN/AN/ANo difference in orthodontic tooth movement between β-TCP and iliac boneMinor degree of apical root resorption, analogous with human situation
N/AAnimal study (mice)β-TCP and long bone allograft both induce normal bone healing, similarly to non-grafted normally healing sitesIncreased osteoclast recruitment induced by β-TCP at the early stages of healing compared to allograft using long bonesNo adverse inflammatory responseNot observedNot observedβ-TCP and allograft both slowed orthodontic movement compared to control without grafting; no difference in orthodontic movement between β-TCP and allograftsN/A
Bioactive glassesN/AClinical study (extraction socket preservation)TAMP grafted sockets healed with vertical trabeculae and large vascularized marrow spaces; better preservation of socket contourTAMP scaffolds enhanced the recruitment of stem cells from grafted socketsN/AN/ANot observedN/AN/A
N/AClinical study (PAOO)Significantly higher bone density was observed with bioactive glasses compared to the control group without graftingBioactive glass particles attract osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblastsN/AN/AN/ASignificant reduction in total treatment time compared to the control group without graftingNo statistical difference on root resorption; absence of any significant apical root resorption
N/AClinical study (PAOO)Lower bone density than bovine xenograft but not statistically significant. Both bioactive glass and bovine xenograft showed significantly greater density than the control group without graftingBioactive glass has homeostatic properties and demonstrated both osteoprotection and osteoconductionNot observedNot observedNot observedNo difference was observed among bioactive glass, bovine xenograft, and control (no graft) groupsNo significant difference in root length in all bioactive glass, bovine, and control (no graft) groups
PRFN/AClinical study (extraction socket preservation)Significantly higher bone density than control group without graftingPRF contains various growth factors, cytokines, and enzymesN/A15% of patients reported severe post-injection painN/APRF accelerated orthodontic tooth movement, particularly in extraction casesN/A
N/AAnimal study (rabbits)N/APRF membrane alone led to an almost 3 times higher osteoblast cell count and almost 2.5 times higher blood vessel count when compared to the untreated controlNot observedNot observedN/APRF accelerated tooth movementNo orthodontic-related discomfort was observed
BM-MSCsN/AAnimal study (dogs)Radiopaque newly formed bone was observed with periodontal ligament space using MSCs, whereas the bone on carbonated hydroxyapatite control group is immatureMSCs exert new bone formation by osteogenic differentiation and induce capillary vesselsN/AN/AN/ANo difference in amount of tooth movement compared to carbonated hydroxyapatite for control; MSCs exhibit consistent tooth movement rate but control group did notNot observed

The alveolar bone regeneration efficiency and the orthodontic impactions of the alveolar bone grafting materials.

rhBMP-2: recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2; DBM: demineralized bone matrix; PAOO: periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics; β-TCP: beta tricalcium phosphate; TAMP scaffold: tailored amorphous multiporous scaffold; PRF: platelet-rich fibrin; BM-MSC: bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells; OTM: orthodontic tooth movement.

Osteoinductive Growth Factor Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2)

Growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines that potentially enhance osteoblast proliferation and function as well as facilitate orthodontic tooth movement have been investigated for use as bone graft materials. For example, recombinant human BMP2 (rhBMP2), a potent osteogenic growth factor, is currently the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved osteoinductive growth factor for bone graft substitutes (). In the alveolar region, animal studies show that rhBMP2 with a poly [D,L-(lactide-co-glycolide)]/gelatin sponge complex has superior osteoinductive activity compared to spongiosa from the tibia, and the newly generated bone in both groups shows a similar histological response to orthodontic force as that of normal alveolar bone (). However, root resorption was observed over the 6-months course of tooth movement when the rhBMP2-based graft was used, while no significant resorption was observed in the autograft and control groups (). Moreover, Hammoudeh’s group showed comparable bone regrowth and density values following secondary alveolar cleft repair in humans using a rhBMP2/DBM scaffold with an autologous iliac bone graft (; ). The spontaneous canine eruption rate was similar among different grafting groups (). In addition, applying rhBMP2 during PAOO procedures increased bone density around corticotomy sites and shortened orthodontic treatment time compared to conventional corticotomy alone ().

It is worth noting that although the osteoinductive activity of rhBMP2 increases with dose (), high-dose rhBMP2 may not be favorable for orthodontic tooth movement. Kawamoto et al. found that high-dose rhBMP2 delays bone remodeling compared to low-dose rhBMP2 (). Moreover, high-dose rhBMP2 induces root resorption, while low-dose rhBMP2 causes only partial cementum resorption on the pressure side ().

To minimize the adverse effects of high-dose rhBMP2 while reducing the cost of this expensive material, rhBMP2-functionalized biomimetic calcium phosphate (BioCap) granules have been developed to achieve controlled and sustained rhBMP2 release. BioCap granules robustly enhanced bone regeneration and graft degradation over deproteinized bovine bone in an animal study (). In addition, due to its low immunogenicity and high angiogenic potency, BioCap graft reduces inflammation and periodontal probing depth during orthodontic treatment, while only slightly reducing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement ().

A synergistic effect was observed when rhBMP2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used together to enhance bone generation around implant sites via an insoluble collagenous bone matrix (). In this combination, VEGF promotes angiogenesis and enhances osteoblastic differentiation, thereby facilitating craniofacial ossification (), while the matrix acts as a scaffold for migrating osteoblasts. This combination product can reduce surgery time and minimize donor site morbidity while maintaining bone stability, as little resorption was observed over time ().

Despite its advantages, clinical complications such as significant postoperative facial swelling were observed in patients grafted with rhBMP2 (). Along with increasing clinical use of rhBMP2 in orthopedics, a growing side-effect profile has emerged, including postoperative inflammation, ectopic bone formation, osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, and inappropriate adipogenesis (). BMP2 has also been associated with osteosarcoma growth (); this complication has cast doubt on its application after tumor resection. Safe application of rhBMP2 therefore remains an inherent issue to conquer.

Synthetic Inorganic Materials

Unlike autografts, allografts, and xenografts, synthetic materials are free from cross-infection and disease transmission and are not associated with donor site sacrifice. However, synthetic materials, particularly inorganic ones, are often osteoconductive without any osteoinductive or osteogenic potential. β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), hydroxyapatite, and bioactive glasses are the most commonly used inorganic graft materials in periodontal regeneration ().

β-tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP)

TCPs were the first generation of calcium compounds used as bone grafts (). They are osteoconductive and have a similar composition to bone minerals. TCP has two crystallographic forms, α-TCP and β-TCP (), with the latter exhibiting good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. As a graft material for alveolar cleft repair in animals, β-TCP promotes bone regeneration as effectively as autologous iliac crest bone () and allograft from long bones (). Moreover, no difference in orthodontic movement is observed between β-TCP and autograft () or allograft (). Since β-TCP shows no significant adverse effects on tooth movement in grafted sites, it is a promising material for further clinical investigation.

Bioactive Glasses

First introduced as a bone graft in early 1970, biocompatible tissue-bonding bioactive glasses are another synthesized inorganic graft material that has received clinical attention. After implantation, a hydroxycarbonate apatite layer and silicon-rich gel layer form on the surface of the bioactive glass. The roles of these layers are to attach to the surrounding bone and attract osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts, respectively (). The composition of a particular bioactive glass (i.e. a combination of silicon dioxide, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, and phosphorus pentoxide) will determine its bioactivity (). For instance, increasing silicon dioxide, decreasing alkali, and supplementing aluminum oxide modulates the durability and water resistance of bioactive glass, thereby altering its reliability and success ().

Different types of bioactive glass have been tested for alveolar bone grafting and novel modifications have been developed to improve biocompatibility of the material. For example, a novel bioactive glass scaffold, tailored amorphous multiparous (TAMP), was introduced in 2016 for extraction socket preservation (). Distinct from non-grafted sockets that showed corticalization after healing, the TAMP-grafted sockets healed with vertical trabeculae and large vascularized marrow spaces (). Better preservation of socket contour was also observed with TAMP grafts (). In addition, GlassBONE™ (Noraker, France), a synthetic resorbable bioactive glass 45S5 ceramic, has been successfully used for alveolar cleft reconstruction, with satisfactory healing found in two-thirds of tested patients ().

When bioactive glass is grafted, a significant increase in bone density is noted 6 months after the cessation of tooth movement; this finding may be attributed to the beneficial effects of alkalization on collagen synthesis and hydroxyapatite formation (). In addition, a marked reduction in orthodontic treatment duration was associated with bioactive glass grafting. Periodontal health was also enhanced with negligible apical root resorption and improved probing depth (). Although bioactive glass does not provide the same level of bone density as bovine-derived xenograft, both materials decrease the duration of orthodontic treatment and reduce the risk of root resorption ().

Bioactive glass has also been applied with other grafting materials. For example, a case report from 2000 described how grafting a DFDBA-granular bioactive glass (1:1) mixture in the buccal aspect of the edentulous cleft region of a patient with cleft lip and palate resulted in good bone regeneration and successful orthodontic tooth movement into the grafted site (). However, these results should be interpreted with caution as they are derived from a single case report.

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)

Endogenous biomaterials have been developed to overcome the limitations associated with current clinical approaches for autografting. PRF is a cost-effective material () that is increasingly being used for regenerative dentistry, specifically next-generation autologous platelet therapy (). PRF contains stem cells, growth factors, and cytokines and is obtained through a minimally invasive procedure that centrifuges whole blood without additives (). It can modulate inflammation and enhance the healing process, thereby promoting the regenerative capacity of the periosteum (). In addition, its dense, protein-rich fibrin mesh functions as a three-dimensional fibrous scaffold for cell migration and a retainer for sustained growth factor release ().

Both animal () and clinical studies () show that PRF significantly accelerates alveolar bone turnover and orthodontic tooth movement, especially at the beginning of orthodontic treatment (). However, 15% of grafted patients experience severe pain attributable to PRF application (), highlighting the need for further investigation. Although the clinical applications of PRF in regenerative dentistry have grown in recent years (), its application in orthodontics is limited. It is largely unknown if the content variation of PRF from different patients or the same patient at different health statuses will impact its outcome as a graft in orthodontic treatment. Additionally, since PRF contains donor cells, it is not suitable to be used as an allograft. Its usage as an autograft material is also limited by availability when extracted from the patient’s blood ().

Pluri and Multipotent Cells

Over the last few decades, multiple pluri- and multi-potent cells have been explored for use in bone augmentation (; ). Bone marrow is the main source of MSCs for clinical applications; in fact, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) were the first MSCs to be discovered (). Compared to iliac crest bone grafts, resorbable collagen sponges combined with BM-MSCs provide similar bone healing results in the closure of alveolar cleft defects with reduced donor site morbidity and decreased donor site pain intensity and frequency ().

Recently, successful bone regeneration has been reported using autogenous BM-MSCs in a dog model of an artificial alveolar cleft. In this study, new bone formation was achieved, thereby allowing orthodontic tooth movement beyond the anatomical limit (). Furthermore, a consistent rate of orthodontic tooth movement was observed in the experimental group compared to varied rates in the control group (), suggesting that MSCs in bone graft materials may have a modulatory effect on the bone remodeling process during orthodontic treatment. In alignment with this observation, the expression of RANKL, a molecule that regulates osteoclastic differentiation, was significantly increased in BM-MSCs under compressive stress (). This finding suggests that BM-MSCs may accelerate tooth movement by expressing cytokines that promote osteoclastogenesis.

Due to ease of accessibility, dental-derived MSCs have gained attention in the past few years and have entered clinical trials (). First isolated from the dental pulp of extracted third molars, dental-derived MSCs have now been purified from various dental tissues, including pulp tissue of permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, apical papilla, periodontal ligament, gingiva, dental follicle, tooth germ, and alveolar bone (). Dental-derived MSCs not only display the same characteristics as BM-MSCs but also possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory advantages in the local dental tissue environment (). Tanikawa et al. utilized autologous deciduous dental pulp stem cells for maxillary alveolar reconstruction and achieved progressive alveolar bone union without grafting site complications in cleft lip and palate patients (). Previous studies have also suggested that gingival-derived MSCs have great potential for repairing alveolar bone defects (; ). However, the impact of dental-derived MSCs on orthodontic tooth movement is not yet well understood.

Materials With 3D Printed Scaffolds

Conventional bone grafts, such as allografts and xenografts, often fail to provide the support necessary to maintain the desired generated tissue volume, especially under the mechanical forces in the oral cavity (). This is particularly challenging for vertical bone augmentation or personalized esthetic bone reconstruction, where highly tailored bone contours and structural stability are required. To overcome this obstacle, materials with three-dimensional architecture mimicking the anatomical and histological arrangement of natural bone have been developed ().

Recent advances in microfabrication, particularly 3D bio-printing, support the construction of complex structures from bioactive/biodegradable materials, including polymers, bioceramics, and composites [as reviewed in ()]. In a recent study, a 3D-printed calcium phosphate scaffold was fabricated according to the geometry of artificial alveolar clefts in rats and showed promising scaffolding and osteoconductive properties (). A 3D-printed custom hydroxyapatite/TCP graft supplied with rhBMP2 also achieved bone regeneration to the same level of rhBMP2-coupled deproteinized bovine bone material (Bio-Oss®) (). Although the exact mechanism of how 3D-printed scaffolds benefit orthodontic tooth movement remains unmapped, evidence suggests that grafting with 3D-printed scaffolds may offer enhanced orthodontic outcomes.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Optimizing esthetics, providing functional and comfortable occlusion, and improving overall health are all goals of successful orthodontic treatment, for which preservation of the alveolar bone is a crucial limiting factor. Most materials reviewed in this article mediate accelerated orthodontic tooth movement and thus can reduce treatment duration and cost. These features are particularly attractive to patients facing extended treatment times, such as those in need of tooth extractions and additional periodontal support. Although a quantitative report is not currently realistic due to the limited available research to date, qualitatively analyzing pre-clinical novel materials will provide insight for their future usage in regenerative orthodontics. High-quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are nevertheless warranted for translating these novel biological concepts into clinical practice. In our opinion, future exploration should also aim to reveal the potential long-term complications of these materials, as well as their impacts on growth and development in adolescents.

A rising number of reports suggest that adjunct treatments can support grafting and have the potential to improve orthodontic treatment. For example, the possibility of vibration accelerating orthodontic tooth movement has been a hot study topic over the last decade (; ). At the same time, studies have shown that high-frequency vibration treatment increases osteogenic differentiation of human BM-MSCs in vitro () and low-level mechanical vibration stimulates osteogenesis and osteointegration of porous titanium implants in the repair of long bone defects (). In addition, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been proven to accelerate new alveolar bone formation in a periodontal injury animal model () and enhance BM-MSCs-based periodontal regenerative therapies (). Moreover, LIPUS can shorten the overall duration of orthodontic treatment () and minimize orthodontically-induced tooth root resorption (). Last but not least, laser photobiomodulation in combination with PRF demonstrated better bone healing than PRF alone in an iliac crest critical-sized bone defect sheep model (). Photobiomodulation was also found to enhance bone formation of hydroxyapatite biomaterial in the dental alveolus in an experimental extraction rat model (). On the other hand, the effects of photobiomodulation on orthodontic treatment have started to attract attention (; ). In all, a detailed assessment of the influence of adjunct treatments with different grafting materials on orthodontic tooth movement is warranted to further optimize treatment outcomes.

Statements

Author contributions

YM, writing—original draft preparation, review and editing. Y-CC, NT, C-HC, NA, MZ, and ZZ, writing—review and editing. CL, conceptualization, writing—review and editing, funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Teaching Fellowship and Schoenleber Pilot Grant, University of Pennsylvania for Y-CC; and the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Award, American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Full-Time Faculty Fellowship Award, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Joseph and Josephine Rabinowitz Award for Excellence in Research, and J. Henry O’Hern Jr Pilot Grant from the Department of Orthodontics, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for CL.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Summary

Keywords

orthodontic tooth movement, alveolar bone graft, novel material, BMP-2, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), bioactive glass, stem cell

Citation

Miao Y, Chang Y-C, Tanna N, Almer N, Chung C-H, Zou M, Zheng Z and Li C (2022) Impact of Frontier Development of Alveolar Bone Grafting on Orthodontic Tooth Movement. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 10:869191. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.869191

Received

04 February 2022

Accepted

13 June 2022

Published

30 June 2022

Volume

10 - 2022

Edited by

Mohammad Khursheed Alam, Al Jouf University, Saudi Arabia

Reviewed by

Tarek El-Bialy, University of Alberta, Canada

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Zhong Zheng, ; Chenshuang Li,

† These two authors have contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship

This article was submitted to Biomaterials, a section of the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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