Advances of Hydrogel Therapy in Periodontal Regeneration—A Materials Perspective Review

Abstract

Hydrogel, a functional polymer material, has emerged as a promising technology for therapies for periodontal diseases. It has the potential to mimic the extracellular matrix and provide suitable attachment sites and growth environments for periodontal cells, with high biocompatibility, water retention, and slow release. In this paper, we have summarized the main components of hydrogel in periodontal tissue regeneration and have discussed the primary construction strategies of hydrogels as a reference for future work. Hydrogels provide an ideal microenvironment for cells and play a significant role in periodontal tissue engineering. The development of intelligent and multifunctional hydrogels for periodontal tissue regeneration is essential for future research.

Hydrogels in Dental Medicine

“…[203] Responsive hydrogels, which can be activated by specific stimuli, exhibit high controllability for achieving desired therapeutic outcomes. [19] For example, a stimuli-responsive hydrogel carrying naringin was fabricated to treat periodontitis in a thermogelling and pH-responsive manner. The hydrogel is injected into the periodontal pocket in a liquid state, transforms into a gellike state upon reaching body temperature, and disintegrates in acidic environments to accelerate drug release (Figure 5A).…”

“…[8,9] Since their initial use in biological applications by Whichterler and Lim in 1960, [10] hydrogels have been widely used in various biomedical applications, including in drug delivery; [11] as tissue engineering scaffolds; [12] for encapsulation of cells, proteins, and other biomolecules; [13] as biosensors in wearable devices or responsive units; and as intrinsic antimicrobial materials. [14] In recent years, hydrogels have emerged as promising biomaterials in dental medicine (Figure 1), for encapsulating antibacterial agents to combat bacteria in periodontitis, [15,16] caries, [17] and pulp diseases, [18] as scaffold materials to regenerate dental tissues [19][20][21] and as drug delivery systems to regulate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). [22] In this review, we highlight the various applications of hydrogels in dental medicine, including their therapeutic effects, limitations, and future potential.…”

Stimuli-responsive dynamic hydrogels: design, properties and tissue engineering applications

“…Hydrogels are 3-dimensional networks of cross-linked polymeric chains that can absorb and retain water or biological fluids in the matrix, making them promising materials for tissue regeneration. 1,2 Additionally, they serve as scaffolds for tissue growth and development, providing a supportive niche for cells to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate. 3 A hydrogel can be made of synthetic polymers or natural materials or a combination of both allowing for the utilization of the advantages of both.…”

A Novel Injectable Piezoelectric Hydrogel for Periodontal Disease Treatment

“…29,30 However, some limitations still exist, including uncontrolled and rapid drug release, microbial resistance build-up, and a lack of complete periodontal tissue regeneration. 31 Ideal hydrogels for PD treatment are expected to not only inhibit bacterial activity to control the inflammatory response but also foster tissue regeneration. The use of multifunctional hydrogels loaded with antibacterial, antioxidant, and/or tissue regeneration agents have been proposed recently.…”

“…Injectable dental biomaterials have gained popularity for the nonsurgical treatment of PD because of their conformability and facile flowability into the periodontal pocket. − Specifically, hydrogels are excellent candidates because of their biocompatibility, adhesion, biodegradation, affordability, and simple chemistry. , Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a common biomedical hydrogel that has been incorporated with different antimicrobial agents, including zinc, quaternary ammonium, and antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin) for PD treatment. − Hydrogels enable long-term leaching of the agents with fewer reapplication cycles. , However, some limitations still exist, including uncontrolled and rapid drug release, microbial resistance build-up, and a lack of complete periodontal tissue regeneration . Ideal hydrogels for PD treatment are expected to not only inhibit bacterial activity to control the inflammatory response but also foster tissue regeneration.…”