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Advances in the understanding of the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and microbiology of periodontal pocket flora have revolutionized the strategies for the management of intraperiodontal pocket diseases. Intra‐pocket, sustained release, drug delivery devices have been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of periodontal infections. Several degradable and non‐degradable devices are under investigation for the delivery of antimicrobial agents into the periodontal pocket including non‐biodegradable fibres, films (biodegradable and non‐biodegradable), bio‐absorbable dental materials, biodegradable gels/ointments, injectables and microcapsules. With the realization that pocket bacteria accumulate as biofilms, studies are now being directed towards eliminating/killing biofilm concentrations rather than their planktonic (fluid phase) counterparts. Intraperiodontal pocket drug delivery has emerged as a novel paradigm for the future research. Similarly, bioadhesive delivery systems are explored that could significantly improve oral therapeutics for periodontal disease and mucosal lesions. A strategy is to target a wide range of molecular mediators of tissue destruction and hence arrest periodontal disease progression. Research into regenerating periodontal structures lost as a result of disease has also shown substantial progress in the last 25 years.

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The conventional method of hygroscopicity determination proposed by Callahan and co-workers utilizes more sample and time, may not be precise in all the cases, and is a relatively broader classification system. The method of indicating degree of hygroscopicity as per European Pharmacopoeia considers equilibration of sample for 24 hours under single humidity condition and may not necessarily ensure equilibration in all the cases. Additionally, both these methods do not provide information on solid state changes occurring within the sample during the course of experiment. This research work envisages an efficient throughput method for hygroscopicity determination, and validates it with active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients using sorption analysis. Further, this method has been performed under optimal equilibration conditions, in a throughput manner (consuming less sample and time), with additional information on solid state changes occurring within the experimental conditions. This throughput method would be a valuable tool for hygroscopicity assessment of new chemical entities, during drug development in particular, and across all pharmaceutical materials in general.

Microbial biofilms have been observed as congregates and attached communities on a diverse range of microecosystems of medicinal and industrial importance. Until recently, most investigations have been performed on planktonic (floating or fluid phase) microorganisms. After realization of the biofilm existence and their recalcitrance toward conventionally adopted preventive strategies and antimicrobial agents, research has been shifted toward novel therapeutics based drug delivery and targeting approaches. With the emergence of various biofilm models and methods to assess biofilm formation and physiology, it is pivotal to discuss various novel strategies that may become the therapeutic tools and clinically adaptable strategies of the future. This review explores various novel research strategies studied to date for their potential in effective biofilm eradication.