A tissue engineering scaffold for growing cells can include a plurality of biocompatible microspheres linked together to form a three-dimensional matrix. The matrix can include a plurality of pores for growing cells. The biocompatible microspheres can include first and second sets of microspheres. The first set of microspheres can have a first characteristic, and a first predetermined spatial distribution with respect to the three-dimensional matrix. The second set of microspheres can have a second characteristic that is different from the first characteristic, and a second predetermined spatial distribution that is different from the first predetermined spatial distribution with respect to the three-dimensional matrix. The first and second characteristics can selected a composition, polymer, particle size, particle size distribution, type of bioactive agent, type of bioactive agent combination, bioactive agent concentration, amount of bioactive agent, rate of bioactive agent release, mechanical strength, flexibility, rigidity, color, radiotranslucency, radiopaqueness, or the like.