Tissue Engineering for Periodontal Ligament Regeneration: Biomechanical Specifications

Abstract

The periodontal biomechanical environment is very difficult to investigate. By the complex geometry and composition of the periodontal ligament, its mechanical behavior is very dependent on the type of loading (compressive vs. tensile loading; static vs. cyclic loading; uniaxial vs. multiaxial) and the location around the root (cervical, middle, or apical). These different aspects of the periodontal ligament make it difficult to develop a functional biomaterial to treat periodontal attachment due to periodontal diseases. This review aims to describe the structural and biomechanical properties of the periodontal ligament. Particular importance is placed in the close interrelationship that exists between structure and biomechanics: the periodontal ligament structural organization is specific to its biomechanical environment, and its biomechanical properties are specific to its structural arrangement. This balance between structure and biomechanics can be explained by a mechanosensitive periodontal cellular activity. These specifications have to be considered in the further tissue engineering strategies for the development of an efficient biomaterial for periodontal tissues regeneration.

Junctional epithelium and hemidesmosomes: Tape and rivets for solving the “percutaneous device dilemma” in dental and other permanent implants

“…Collagen bundles near the cervical root are orientated horizontally (perpendicular to the tooth) or orientated vertically (parallel) at the apex by mechanosensitive, collagen-secreting periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) [ 457 ]. This collagen network is disorganized or completely vertical (parallel) in implants [ 458 ]. This contributes to the higher stresses and strains bone surrounding implants compared to the bone surrounding teeth, which may lead to bone resorption and implant loosening or even microfracture [ 459 , 460 ].…”

Challenges of Periodontal Tissue Engineering: Increasing Biomimicry through 3D Printing and Controlled Dynamic Environment

“…During normal oral functions, intermittent occlusal contacts accompanied by pressure from the tongue occur, and the PDL periodically undergoes different combinations of mechanical loading (i.e., compression, stretch, fluid-induced shear stress) that contribute to maintain the PDL homeostasis [ 112 ]. The mechanical response of PDL to experienced loading is determined by the combination of the oriented collagen fiber bundles and the distribution of the interstitial fluid, which makes the PDL acting as a shock absorber, increasing the tooth’s ability to withstand loading via the hydrostatic effect [ 113 , 114 ].…”

Periodontal research contributions to basic sciences: From cell communication and host-parasite interactions to inflammation and bone biology

“…Emerging evidence on the field of mechanobiology have been described recently (Jang et al, 2018;Dieterle et al, 2021;Gauthier et al, 2021). The periodontium, made of tissues of different natures, shows a complicated biomechanical environment.…”