Graphitic carbon nitride for biomedical applications: challenges and future opportunities in dentistry

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is an emerging nanomaterial with unique features such as photocatalyst, biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry, placing g-C₃N₄ as a versatile platform for innovative biomedical applications. This review explores the properties, synthesis, biomedical applications, challenges, and future perspectives of g-C₃N₄. An electronic search of PubMed and Elsevier's Scopus was undertaken, with no limits to the year of publication, and only English-language literature was included. One of the notable applications is as a drug delivery system due to its large surface area, functional tunability, and controlled release mechanisms. Recently, g-C₃N₄ has also emerged as a promising agent for cancer treatment, particularly in photodynamic and photothermal therapies. Another widely explored application is its role in regenerative medicine, including wound healing, where its biocompatibility and ability to enhance cellular interactions are advantageous. Additionally, g-C₃N₄ demonstrates strong potential in biosensing and bioimaging, leveraging its fluorescence properties for diagnostic and monitoring applications. While direct studies in dentistry are limited, these biomedical advancements suggest a potential for future dental applications, particularly in antimicrobial coatings, drug-loaded restorative materials, and guided tissue regeneration. Future research should focus on optimizing g-C₃N₄-based materials for targeted clinical applications, particularly within dentistry.