Bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds for regenerative endodontics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Antimicrobial Drug Delivery

Background:

• Developing effective antimicrobial strategies is crucial for regenerative endodontics.
• Polymer scaffolds offer a promising platform for localized drug delivery.
• Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel approaches to infection control in dental procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel antibiotic-containing polydioxanone (PDS) scaffolds.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and cytocompatibility of these scaffolds.
• To assess the potential of these scaffolds as a drug delivery system for regenerative endodontics.

Main Methods:

• Antibiotics (Metronidazole or Ciprofloxacin) were incorporated into PDS polymer solutions and electrospun into fibers.
• Materials characterization included SEM, FTIR, and tensile testing.
• Antimicrobial activity was tested against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis; cytotoxicity was assessed in human dental pulp stem cells.

Main Results:

• SEM confirmed submicron fiber diameters, and FTIR verified antibiotic incorporation.
• HPLC demonstrated sustained drug release over 48 hours.
• Ciprofloxacin scaffolds significantly inhibited both bacterial species' biofilm growth, while Metronidazole scaffolds inhibited only P. gingivalis. Only 25 wt% Ciprofloxacin scaffolds exhibited cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• Polymer-based antibiotic-containing electrospun scaffolds demonstrate potential as biologically safe antimicrobial drug delivery systems.
• The choice of antibiotic influences the spectrum of antimicrobial activity.
• Further research is warranted to optimize scaffold composition for clinical application in regenerative endodontics.