Thermosensitive Hydrogels for Periodontal Regeneration: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Thermosensitive hydrogels are now among the most commonly used biomaterials in tissue engineering. Due to their unique characteristics, this review aimed to evaluate the suitability of thermosensitive hydrogels in periodontal regeneration. Material and Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched until March 25, 2024, to retrieve relevant articles. The eligibility criteria for the included studies were determined by the designed PICO elements. Results from each included study were extracted, focusing on the three main areas: thermosensitivity, cellular characteristics, and in vivo characteristics. Results Nineteen studies were included in our study. The thermosensitivity assessment of the hydrogels indicated a range of sol–gel transition times from 40 s to 20 min based on the type of polymers and the fabrication process. The cellular characterization was assessed based on three main cellular behaviors: cellular viability/proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The in vivo characterization was performed based on two main approaches: radiographic and histologic evaluation. Conclusions The results indicated that the addition of bioactive agents could enhance the in vivo efficacy of thermosensitive hydrogels in periodontal regeneration through three main areas: antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and regenerative effects.

Keywords

• periodontal regeneration
• periodontitis
• smart biomaterials
• thermosensitive hydrogels