This study aimed to develop biomimetic tissue-engineered oral mucosa using micropatterned collagen scaffolds. Fifteen negative molds with varying dimensions and aspect ratios were created using MEMS and soft lithography to generate 3D micropatterns on fish-scale type I collagen scaffolds. Chemical crosslinking with EDC improved the scaffolds' mechanical properties. Histological evaluation showed that grid-type micropatterns were better preserved than pillar-type, supporting epithelial regeneration and rete ridge-like structure formation. The micropatterned collagen scaffolds show promise for both intraoral and extraoral grafting.
