Balaji Bakthavachalam, S. Renold Elsen
• There is a growing need for advanced bio ceramic materials in orthopaedic bone regeneration, especially for treating critical-size bone defects . • Many conventional materials (e.g., hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass) are becoming outdated due to limitations such as poor degradation rates, limited bioactivity, lack of resorption, and non-patient-specific designs . • Magnesium phosphate (MgP) emerges as a promising third-generation bioresorbable ceramic , with distinct advantages such as:. ○ Biodegradability can be aligned with bone healing rate. ○ Bioactivity that promotes osteogenesis. ○ Customizability for patient-specific implants using additive manufacturing technologies. • Research on magnesium phosphate-based biomaterials emerging recently , creating a significant opportunity for innovation and clinical translation. • Fabrication using Additive manufacturing techniques enables to create patient-specific bone scaffolds with accurate shape and structure due to better control over pore size and design compared to traditional methods. • This review provides a comprehensive update on the recent advancements in MgP-based ceramics , including their synthesis, in-vitro and in-vivo performance, fabrication strategies, and comparative analysis with conventional materials. • This paper aims to serve as an eye-opener for researchers and clinicians, encouraging further exploration of magnesium phosphate as a promising alternative for next-generation bone regeneration, while embracing advanced technologies like 3D printing to meet patient-specific needs. Bone regeneration for critical-size defects, which have lost their self-healing ability, remains a significant challenge. Addressing this issue requires a careful selection of biomaterials, bone-mimetic designs, and consideration of various influencing factors. Materials such as calcium phosphate have been widely used due to their compositional similarity to bone. However, their limitations, including poor degradation and other drawbacks, necessitate exploring alternative materials with superior properties and enhanced healing potential. Magnesium phosphate, a third-generation bioresorbable material, presents a promising alternative with significant yet underexplored potential in bone regeneration. Additionally, by integrating magnesium phosphate with suitable material combinations, tunable properties can be achieved, and these properties can be incorporated into a scaffold form, making it appropriate to meet patient-specific requirements. This paper highlights recent advancements in magnesium phosphate-based bioceramics, emphasizing their role in biomedical engineering. Through a comprehensive discussion, this study aims to provide new insights into the application of magnesium phosphate in bone tissue engineering, positioning it as a transformative material for future regenerative strategies.