Sequential hydrogen-release implant for promoting the soft tissue integration through immunomodulatory and...

The weaker soft tissue integration around implants compared to natural teeth poses a substantial challenge to the long-term success of implants. To enhance soft tissue integration, we develop an on-demand and long-lasting H₂-releasing implant to achieve precise sequential regulation of the soft tissue integration through immunomodulation and pro-remodeling coupling. In the inflammatory phase, the system on-demand releases H₂ responded to the local mild acidic microenvironment, which eliminates 73.6 % reactive oxygen species to induce M2 macrophage polarization, thereby establishing a pro-remodeling microenvironment. During the subsequent remodeling phase, the implant sustains release H₂ based on the hierarchical nanostructure, effectively promoting collagen fiber formation and angiogenesis. Surprisingly, we propose that H₂ can coordinately activate MAPK signaling in both gingival fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells, coupled with stimulating pro-angiogenic paracrine of gingival fibroblasts. This implant achieves the on-demand transition of H₂ release kinetics that matches the temporal progression of soft tissue integration, implying great potential of enhancing soft tissue integration.