SrCuSi₄O₁₀/GelMA Composite Hydrogel‐Mediated Vital Pulp Therapy: Integrating Antibacterial Property and Enhanced Pulp Regeneration Activity

Abstract

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is considered a conservative treatment for preserving pulp viability in caries‐induced dental pulp infections. However, bacterial contamination negatively affects dentine‐pulp complex repair. The common capping materials show limited antimicrobial effects against some microorganisms. To improve the VPT efficacy, capping materials with increased antibacterial properties and enhanced odontogenic and angiogenic activities are needed. Herein, a SrCuSi4O10/gelatin methacrylate(SC/Gel) composite hydrogel has been proposed for infected dental pulp treatment. SrCuSi4O10 (SC) is a microscale bioceramic composed of assembled multilayered nanosheets that possesses good near‐infrared photothermal conversion ability and multiple bioactivities due to sustained Sr2+, Cu2+, and SiO32− ion release. It is shown that the SC/Gel composite hydrogel efficiently eliminates Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei and inhibits biofilm formation under photothermal heating, while the ion extract from SC promotes odontogenesis of rat dental pulp stem cells and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The as‐designed therapeutic effect of SC/Gel composite hydrogel‐mediated VPT has been proven in a rat dental pulp infection model and yielded improved dentine‐pulp complex repair compared with the commercially used iRoot® BP Plus. This study suggests that the SC/Gel composite hydrogel is a potential pulp‐capping material with improved effects on dentine−pulp complex repair in infected pulp.

Unveiling the versatility of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels: a comprehensive journey into biomedical applications

“…In addition, the composite hydrogel fostered odontogenesis in rat dental pulp stem cells and angiogenesis in HUVECs. In a rat model of dental pulp infection, SC/Gel hydrogel demonstrated enhanced dentinepulp complex repair in contrast to the commercial iRoot ® BP Plus [200].…”

Dental pulp regeneration strategies: A review of status quo and recent advances

“… [ 104 ] GelMA GelMA microsphere GelMA microspheres loaded with DPSCs could promote vascular and neural regeneration within the entire dental pulp, as well as the regeneration of dentin-like structures, offering the potential to become a novel material for functional whole pulp regeneration [ 105 ] Composite scaffold SrCuSi4O10/GelMA hydrogel The SrCuSi4O10/GelMA composite hydrogel effectively eliminated oral bacteria, inhibited biofilm formation, and enhances dentine-pulp complex repair. [ 106 ] Composite scaffold GelMA/PLGA microspheres GelMA/PLGA composite microspheres loaded with simvastatin formed cryogel microspheres. Through sustained release of simvastatin, it facilitated the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of SHEDs, successfully achieving the regeneration of vascularity-enriched dental pulp-like tissue.…”

Photothermal hydrogels for infection control and tissue regeneration

“…Having the sustained release of Sr 2+ , Cu 2+ , and SiO 3 2− , this composite hydrogel demonstrates excellent NIR photothermal conversion ability, effectively eliminating bacteria and inhibiting biofilm formation. Rat dental pulp stem cells (rDPSCs) and HUVECs were used to study the effect of SC on odontogenesis and angiogenesis and to explore its possible molecular mechanisms ( Figure 8 ) ( Qiu et al, 2023 ).…”

“… Schematic illustration of the application of SC/Gel composite hydrogel and NIR irradiation for infected dental pulp treatment, through releasing Sr 2+ , Cu 2+ , and SiO 3 2− ion in response to the promoted antibacterial effect, angiogenesis, and odontogenesis. Reproduced from ref ( Qiu et al, 2023 ) with permission from Wiley, copyright 2023. …”