ABSTRACT
Paste based injectable scaffolds are usually developed from calcium phosphate cements and are also considered to be clinically important owing to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, ease of handling, moldability, and injectability. Injectable scaffolds should possess good dimensional stability following injection and solidification, while, it should also possess sufficient mechanical strength to provide temporary support for the cells, while withstanding biomechanical loading. Although, microscopy gives information about pore morphology, homogeneity, pore size of the injectable scaffolds, the bi-dimensional images may lead to erroneous estimations. The advent of bone tissue engineering has led to the development of engineered bone scaffolds which can enhance the osteogenic potential of bone, in addition to improving their osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Bone injury often requires bone grafting, where bone grafts are used for augmentation and formation of new bone, to repair damaged bone, or to expedite the bone healing and regeneration process.
