Matrices and scaffolds for drug delivery in dental, oral and craniofacial tissue engineering

Abstract

Current treatments for diseases and trauma of dental, oral and craniofacial (DOC) structures rely on durable materials such as amalgam and synthetic materials, or autologous tissue grafts. A paradigm shift has taken place to utilize tissue engineering and drug delivery approaches towards the regeneration of these structures. Several prototypes of DOC structures have been regenerated such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle, cranial sutures, tooth structures and periodontium components. However, many challenges remain when taking in consideration the high demand for esthetics of DOC structures, the complex environment and yet minimal scar formation in the oral cavity, and the need for accommodating multiple tissue phenotypes. This review highlights recent advances in the regeneration of DOC structures, including the tooth, periodontium, TMJ, cranial sutures and implant dentistry, with specific emphasis on controlled release of signaling cues for stem cells, biomaterial matrices and scaffolds, and integrated tissue engineering approaches.

CTGF directs fibroblast differentiation from human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and defines connective tissue healing in a rodent injury model

“…Current surgical treatment is highly traumatic, frequently involving craniotomy in order to remove synostosed calvarial sutures and reshape multiple calvarial bones in early childhood. We adopted our previously developed control-release approach to potentiate the bioactivity of CTGF in vivo by microencapsulation, given the limited effectiveness of injected proteins or peptides without coating by rapid denature and diffusion (34,35). Upon surgical removal of a synostosed calvarial suture in an established rat craniosynostosis model (36), the outcome of tissue repair was the predicted synostosis recurrence ( Figure 5A) with complete obliteration of ectopic bone (Figure 5, E and G), similar to the synostosis recurrence previously Figure 5D.…”

Autologous stem cell regeneration in craniosynostosis

“…Improved characterization, yield and survival are necessary prior to cellbased replacement of synostosed cranial sutures in genetic mouse models. A number of pending issues can be further addressed, such as whether the same genetic defects are present in autologous stem cells, or whether controlled release of TGFβ3 is critical to the regeneration of an engineered cranial suture analog [51,52]. In summary, our current findings represent a rare demonstration of the regeneration of a complex tissue in an in vivo animal model from autologous stem cells via the aspiration of 0.5 mL of bone marrow content.…”

Biomaterials in Tooth Tissue Engineering: A Review

“…At significantly smaller sizes, these particles greatly increase the surface area per unit volume and the quatum effects compared to large sized particles, thereby improving the performance behavior of materials [48]. Collective advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the fabrication of innovative scaffolds like composite nanofibrous scaffolds that simulate the matrix environment in which cells can be accommodated to proliferate and differentiate towards desired lineages [Table/ Fig-3] [49]. Nano meter sized fibers can be processed to form highly porous scaffolds that will allow easy cell migration and nutrient diffusion.…”

“…Microspheres are drug encapsulating polymer matrices used for slow and prolonged release of drugs [Table/ Fig-3] [49]. Low molecular weight polymers form porous microspheres that release drug rapidly while high molecular weight polymers form dense microspheres that release drug slowly.…”