Advances in Hydrogels for Periodontitis Treatment

ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2024 May 13;10(5):2742-2761. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00220. Epub 2024 Apr 19.

Abstract

Periodontitis is a common condition characterized by a bacterial infection and the disruption of the body's immune-inflammatory response, which causes damage to the teeth and supporting tissues and eventually results in tooth loss. Current therapy involves the systemic and local administration of antibiotics. However, the existing treatments cannot exert effective, sustained release and maintain an effective therapeutic concentration of the drug at the lesion site. Hydrogels are used to treat periodontitis due to their low cytotoxicity, exceptional water retention capability, and controlled drug release profile. Hydrogels can imitate the extracellular matrix of periodontal cells while offering suitable sites to load antibiotics. This article reviews the utilization of hydrogels for periodontitis therapy based on the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of the disease. Additionally, the latest therapeutic strategies for smart hydrogels and the main techniques for hydrogel preparation have been discussed. The information will aid in designing and preparing future hydrogels for periodontitis treatment.

Keywords: antibacterial effect; biomaterial; hydrogel; periodontal regeneration; periodontitis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Hydrogels* / therapeutic use
  • Periodontitis* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents