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Injectable Piezoelectric Hydrogel for Vital Pulp Therapy.
Varun Solanki1, Carolina Montoya2, Prasanna Neelakantan3,4,5,6,7
1Department of Endodontology, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|December 24, 2025
Summary
A new piezoelectric hydrogel significantly enhances dental pulp stem cell regeneration compared to current vital pulp therapy materials. This innovative material converts mechanical forces into bioelectric signals, promoting better healing and cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Dentistry
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Vital pulp therapy (VPT) aims to maintain pulp vitality using regenerative materials.
- Current VPT materials require further optimization for enhanced odontogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an injectable piezoelectric gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing barium titanate for vital pulp therapy.
- To compare its efficacy in promoting odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) against Biodentine XP.
Main Methods:
- Engineered and characterized a light-curable, injectable piezoelectric hydrogel for physicomechanical and piezoelectric properties and DPSC biocompatibility.
- Assessed DPSC odontogenic differentiation via gene expression (COL1A1, DSPP, DMP1) under cyclic loading, compared to Biodentine XP and non-piezoelectric hydrogel controls.
- Utilized MTT and ROS assays to evaluate cytotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- The piezoelectric hydrogel demonstrated excellent injectability, mechanical stability, and generated relevant voltages under cyclic loading.
- No cytotoxic or oxidative stress effects were observed.
- Significantly enhanced DPSC viability and upregulated key odontogenic gene expression (COL1A1, DSPP, DMP1) compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The piezoelectric hydrogel acts as a self-powered, bioactive platform converting physiological forces into regenerative bioelectric cues.
- This material shows significant promise as a next-generation therapeutic agent for vital pulp therapy.
- Offers a novel approach to enhance dental pulp regeneration through bioelectricity.
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