Functionalized Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: Emerging Biomimetic Platforms for Regenerative Oral and Maxillofacial...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Oral and maxillofacial illnesses are prevalent global health issues, often leading to tissue loss and impacting quality of life.
• Current treatments for oral disorders and damaged tooth tissues are challenging, highlighting the need for advanced regenerative strategies.
• Hydrogels, with their unique properties like biocompatibility and water content, are emerging as promising biomaterials in dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of recent advancements in creating hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels for tissue regeneration.
• To focus on chemical modification and crosslinking techniques essential for HA hydrogel development.
• To outline strategies and trends for utilizing HA hydrogels in oral and maxillofacial regenerative therapies.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing chemical modification techniques for hyaluronic acid.
• Analyzing various crosslinking strategies for HA hydrogel formation.
• Synthesizing recent achievements in HA hydrogel development for tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) possesses inherent biological properties beneficial for tissue repair and regeneration.
• Chemical modification and crosslinking are crucial for transforming HA into functional hydrogels.
• Diverse HA-based hydrogels demonstrate potential for drug delivery, antimicrobial action, and tissue scaffolding.

Conclusions:

• HA-based hydrogels are highly suitable for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction due to their biocompatibility and regenerative potential.
• Optimized chemical modification and crosslinking are vital for tailoring HA hydrogels for specific clinical applications.
• Further development and clinical translation of HA hydrogels could significantly advance oral regenerative therapies.