Thermosensitive hydrogels could function as scaffolds and delivery vehicle of natural flavonoids. The current study aimed to investigate effects of chitosan/collagen ratios on properties of thermosensitive beta‐glycerophosphate (bGP) chitosan/collagen hydrogels as delivery vehicle of quercetin and then examined effects of quercetin‐hydrogels on growth and cell viability of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Microstructure and physical, mechanical and antioxidant properties and quercetin release profiles of the hydrogels were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction analyses were performed to examine gelation process of the hydrogels. Antioxidant assays were conducted to measure antioxidant capacity of quercetin‐hydrogels. It was found that bGP‐chitosan/collagen hydrogels exhibited porous structures with interconnected pore architecture and could sustain quercetin release. Chitosan content improved well defined porous structure, increased porosity of the hydrogels and decreased releasing rate of quercetin from the hydrogels. The quercetin‐bGP‐2:1 (wt/wt) chitosan/collagen hydrogels exhibited antioxidant capacity and were able to promote growth of hPDLSCs in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, the thermosensitive quercetin‐bGP‐2:1 (wt/wt) chitosan/collagen hydrogel demonstrated optimal properties of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and sustained release of natural flavonoids. Incorporating quercetin in the chitosan/collagen hydrogel enhanced bioactive microenvironment that supported stem cell encapsulation.

In the present study, an inorganic matrix of beta‐tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) nanoparticles and quercetin was incorporated into an organic matrix of 2:1 (w/w) chitosan/collagen composite to fabricate thermosensitive bTCP‐chitosan/collagen‐quercetin hydrogels. A sol–gel transition of the hydrogels was stimulated by beta‐glycerophosphate (bGP) and temperature changes at physiological temperature and pH levels. Thereafter, the effects of 1%–3% (w/v) bTCP on properties of the bTCP‐bGP‐2:1 (w/w) chitosan/collagen hydrogels were investigated. Notably, the incorporation of 1%–3% (w/v) bTCP in the hydrogels did not interfere with the gelation process and time of the hydrogels at physiological temperature and pH levels. The bTCP‐hydrogels exhibited a porous structure, interconnecting pore architecture, and median pore size of 100–200 μm. The incorporation of 3% bTCP increased the mechanical strength but decreased the swelling and degradation rates, pore size, permeability, and quercetin release rate of the hydrogels. The hydrogels were noncytotoxic and able to support cell encapsulation. A sustained quercetin release profile of the 3% bTCP‐hydrogel further suggested the applicability of the hydrogel as a delivery vehicle of natural flavonoids for bone regeneration.

Objectives The purposes of this study were to analyze the effects of single posterior implant restorations delivery on the redistribution of bite force and to evaluate the changes in occlusal force distribution of prostheses and potential influencing factors on occlusion variation at different stages. Materials and methods Thirty-two single posterior restorations in 30 participants (18 women and 12 men aged 27 to 75 years) were placed into either a unilateral single-tooth defect (n = 17) or on either side of a bilateral teeth defects (n = 15). The bite force (%) of the prostheses, teeth and segments at the maximum intercuspation position (MIP) was evaluated using a T-scan at 5 stages (pre-placement, immediately following placement, and 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-placement). Results The occlusal force of implant-supported prostheses was significantly (P = .000) lower than those of the control natural teeth at the baseline, then no significant difference was found with that of the mesial teeth at 3 months, and finally it was significantly (P = .000) lower than that of the distal teeth at 6 months; meanwhile, it significantly (P = .008) increased by a mean of 2.04 times from 2 weeks (3.39 ± 2.61%) to 3 months (6.90 ± 4.77%), whereas no significant difference (P = .900) was found from 3 months (6.90 ± 4.77%) to 6 months (7.31 ± 4.60%). In addition, the bite force of the posterior segment on the restored side of both unilateral and bilateral gaps was significantly (P = .013,.001) improved by 3.31% and 6.83%, respectively, although the discrepancy in bite force significantly (P = .039) increased from an initial 3.52% to 5.02% for subjects with bilateral defects, accompanying increases in the proportion (15.38%) of the level III bilateral bite force deviation (P >.05). Conclusions Bite force and masticatory ability can be improved with the immediate delivery of a single posterior implant restoration. The bite force distributed on the implant prosthesis inevitably increases after placement of implant prostheses, a routine follow-up and occlusal evaluation are strongly needed.