Biphasic scaffolds of polyvinyl alcohol with silk fibroin for oral and maxillofacial surgery based on mimicking materials design: fabrication, characterization, properties

Biphasic scaffolds were created based on mimicking materials design and evaluated to identify certain applications for oral and maxillofacial surgery. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and different amounts of silk fibroin (SF)—0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% (PVA, PVA/1% SF, PVA/3% SF, and PVA/5% SF)—were used to fabricate biphasic scaffolds via the micro-bubble approach before freeze-thawing and freeze-drying. These scaffolds were characterized and their molecular organization and morphology were observed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The performance of the scaffolds was tested in terms of their swelling behavior and mechanical properties. They were cultured with MC3T3E1 osteoblast cells and L929 fibroblast cells. The main biological performance of cell proliferation was analyzed. The molecular organization of the fabricated biphasic scaffolds possessed interaction and mobility properties via the –OH and the amide I, II, and III groups. Their morphology demonstrated pores with fibrils. They showed a high level of performance in terms of swelling, mechanical strength, and cell proliferation. Finally, based on the findings of this research, it can be deduced that PVA/5% SF can provide a suitable biphasic scaffold with high promise for oral and maxillofacial surgery for instance mandibular ridge augmentation and repair of alveolar cleft lip and palate.