Injectable Methacrylated Gelatin Hydrogel for Safe Sodium Hypochlorite Delivery in Endodontics.

Keeping sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) within the root canal is challenging in regenerative endodontics. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system using a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel incorporated with aluminosilicate clay nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with NaOCl. Pure GelMA, pure HNTs, and NaOCl-loaded HNTs carrying varying concentrations were assessed for chemo-mechanical properties, degradability, swelling capacity, cytocompatibility, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, and in vivo for inflammatory response and degradation. SEM images revealed consistent pore sizes of 70-80 µm for all samples, irrespective of the HNT and NaOCl concentration, while HNT-loaded hydrogels exhibited rougher surfaces. The hydrogel's compressive modulus remained between 100 and 200 kPa, with no significant variations. All hydrogels demonstrated a 6-7-fold mass increase and complete degradation by the seventh day. Despite an initial decrease in cell viability, all groups recovered to 65-80% compared to the control. Regarding antibacterial and antibiofilm properties, 12.5 HNT(Double) showed the highest inhibition zone on agar plates and the most significant reduction in biofilm compared to other groups. In vivo, the 12.5 HNT(Double) group displayed partial degradation after 21 days, with mild localized inflammatory responses but no tissue necrosis. In conclusion, the HNT-NaOCl-loaded GelMA hydrogel retains the disinfectant properties, providing a safer option for endodontic procedures without harmful potential.

Next-generation biomaterials for dental pulp tissue immunomodulation.

OBJECTIVES: The current standard for treating irreversibly damaged dental pulp is root canal therapy, which involves complete removal and debridement of the pulp space and filling with an inert biomaterial. A regenerative approach to treating diseased dental pulp may allow for complete healing of the native tooth structure and enhance the long-term outcome of once-necrotic teeth. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to highlight the current state of dental pulp tissue engineering and immunomodulatory biomaterials properties, identifying exciting opportunities for their synergy in developing next-generation biomaterials-driven technologies. METHODS: An overview of the inflammatory process focusing on immune responses of the dental pulp, followed by periapical and periodontal tissue inflammation are elaborated. Then, the most recent advances in treating infection-induced inflammatory oral diseases, focusing on biocompatible materials with immunomodulatory properties are discussed. Of note, we highlight some of the most used modifications in biomaterials' surface, or content/drug incorporation focused on immunomodulation based on an extensive literature search over the last decade. RESULTS: We provide the readers with a critical summary of recent advances in immunomodulation related to pulpal, periapical, and periodontal diseases while bringing light to tissue engineering strategies focusing on healing and regenerating multiple tissue types. SIGNIFICANCE: Significant advances have been made in developing biomaterials that take advantage of the host's immune system to guide a specific regenerative outcome. Biomaterials that efficiently and predictably modulate cells in the dental pulp complex hold significant clinical promise for improving standards of care compared to endodontic root canal therapy.

The role of TiO2 nanotube surface on osseointegration of titanium implants: Biomechanical and histological study in rats.

The nanoscale surface of titanium has been studied to improve the cellular recognition of the biological microenvironment and to increase bone-implant interaction. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a titanium oxide (TiO2 ) nanotube surface with a machined surface on osseointegration tibia implants without primary stability. This study used an experimental design, divided into two groups (n = 16): commercially pure titanium machined implants (Cp-Ti Ma) and commercially pure titanium anodized implants (Cp-Ti An). Titanium nanotubes were produced by anodic oxidation, and the topography of surface was analyzed using field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM). The implants (2.1 × 2.8 mm Ø) were surgically placed in the right tibia (defects with milling drill 2.5 × 3.2 mm Ø) of 32 Wistar male rats (250-300 g). The animals were euthanized at 7 weeks postoperatively. The maximum value of removal torque was measured (N/cm) in the right tibia half of each group (8 animals/8 tibiae); the other half of each group underwent a nondecalcified protocol, stained with Stevenel blue/Alizarin red, and the formation of bone tissue in close contact to the implant was measured. The obtained data were analyzed statistically (t test). Differences were considered statistically significant for α < 0.05. Cp-Ti An implants were significantly higher in removal torque and peri-implant bone healing compared with Cp-Ti Ma implants (p < .01). Within the limitations of this study, it was observed that the surface modification of titanium by anodization (TiO2 nanotubes) can improve osseointegration, and this may be very useful to reduce the time required for peri-implant bone formation.