or less. Cell-based approaches to tissue engineering of bone have been suggested as an alternative for autologous bone grafts. However, cell-based tissue engineering has not shown to be an effective

. Cell-based bone tissue engineering has not been successful as an effective therapy largely due to difficulties in obtaining sufficient numbers of viable cells. Cell-based bone tissue engineering typically utilizes mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are a population of stem cells that are capable of differentiating into a wide array of cell types such as bone, cartilage, and fat cells. However, isolating these cells from a patient’s tissue is a labor intensive process, and the number of MSCs obtained is often insufficient for in vitro culturing or transplantation. Additionally, the MSCs isolated from a patient may not have the same capacity for proliferation and differentiation as those taken from a healthy donor, thus further reducing the possibility of a successful treatment outcome. An alternative material-based technology that could be used instead of cell-based bone tissue engineering is scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Scaffolds are created from biocompatible or biodegradable synthetic or natural materials and are used to provide structural support for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. The scaffold material of choice depends on the size and shape of the defect, the properties desired in the implant, and the ultimate application of the tissue-engineered construct. Compared to cell-based tissue engineering, scaffolds are more readily available and can be tailored to a particular application. Additionally, scaffolds can be used to deliver growth factors or cells to stimulate repair and increase the success of in vivo implantation. In conclusion, scaffolds provide a viable alternative to cell-based bone tissue engineering as they are able to provide structural support, enhance cell proliferation and survival, and facilitate delivery of cells and growth factors to the defect site. Ultimately, scaffolds are a more practical approach to bone tissue engineering due to their availability and ability to be tailored to the needs of a particular application.