Environment-sensitive hydrogels as potential drug delivery systems for the treatment of periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms colonized in periodontal pocket. The disease leading to the destruction of periodontal tissues including gums, periodontal ligaments, dental cementum and alveolar bone has been regarded as a latent risk factor of other medical problems. The therapeutic effects of periodontitis are unsatisfactory currently, though a great many strategies have been used to enhance the results of its treatments. Recently, environment-sensitive hydrogels have been proposed to be drug delivery systems for this disease, which possesses environment-response, less system side effects as well as reduced treatment frequency. In this mini-review, we present the changes of periodontitis micro-environment, and then introduce various environment-sensitive hydrogels as drug delivery systems in the treatment of periodontitis. Finally, the limitations and aspects to improve of this vehicle applied to the treatment of periodontitis are discussed. We hope this review will provide better understanding of the hydrogel applications in periodontitis therapy.