Hydrogel-Based Scaffolds in Oral Tissue Engineering

Regenerative therapy in dentistry has gained interest given the complexity to restore dental and periodontal tissues with inert materials. The best approach for regeneration requires three elements restoring functions of affected or diseased organ tissues: cells, bioactive molecules, scaffolds. This triad is capable modulating processes replace lost damaged function, as it an impact on diverse cellular processes, influencing cell behavior positively induce complete restoration function morphology such complex tissues. Hydrogels (HG) have shown advantages scaffolds they are soft elastic three-dimensional (3D) networks formed from hydrophilic homopolymers, copolymers, macromers. Besides simple hybrid, HG show chemical, mechanical biological activities incorporation cells their structures, retention high-water content which enhances transportation nutrients waste, flexible characteristics that emulate native extracellular matrix (ECM). can changes chemotaxis, proliferation, angiogenesis, biomineralization, expression specific tissue biomarkers, enhancing process. some them anti-inflammatory anti-bacterial effects. review aims extensive overview most used hydrogels engineering, emphasizing those studied oral tissues, effects, clinical implications. Even though still under investigation, been vitro vivo outstanding results may lead preclinical studies. there efficacy patients hyaluronan healing gingival tissue.