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Gels
Special Issues
Functional Gels for Dental Applications
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Functional Gels for Dental Applications

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 11581

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pedro C. Lopes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
Interests: orthodontics; oral microbiology; composites; dental materials
Prof. Dr. Željka Vanić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: liposomes; deformable liposomes; propylene glycol liposomes; pH-sensitive liposomes; liposomal hydrogels; vesicular phospholipid gel; (trans)dermal drug delivery; vaginal drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Carolina Volpi Mello-Moura

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
Interests: oral health; dentistry; gels

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional gels have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials in the field of dentistry, offering innovative solutions for a wide range of clinical applications. Their unique properties, biocompatibility, and ability to incorporate bioactive agents make them ideal candidates for dental treatments, from restorative procedures to regenerative therapies. Additionally, functional gels play a crucial role in the prevention of oral diseases, serving as carriers for antimicrobial agents, fluoride, and other therapeutic compounds that help maintain oral health and prevent conditions such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Recent advances in material science and bioengineering have enabled the development of sophisticated gel-based formulations with enhanced mechanical strength, antibacterial properties, and controlled drug release.

This Special Issue will explore the latest breakthroughs in functional gels for dental applications, highlighting novel compositions, advanced fabrication techniques, and their clinical potential. We encourage submissions of original research articles and comprehensive review papers focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications of functional gels in dentistry. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, bioactive hydrogels, stimulus-responsive gels, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, adhesives for dental restoration, and gels for oral disease prevention.

Dr. Pedro C. Lopes
Prof. Dr. Željka Vanić
Dr. Anna Carolina Volpi Mello-Moura
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • functional gels
  • hydrogels
  • biomaterials
  • dental applications
  • oral disease prevention
  • regenerative dentistry

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 883 KB  
Article
Effect of a Home Bleaching Gel Containing Chitosan and Theobromine on Tooth Surface Roughness, Microhardness, and Colour Change
by Safıya Temizyurek and Derya Gursel Surmelioglu
Gels 2025, 11(12), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11121014 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 156
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of experimental bleaching gels containing chitosan and theobromine and compare their performance in terms of tooth surface roughness, microhardness, and colour change with the bleaching gels BioWhiten ProHome and FGM Whiteness Perfect. One hundred and forty-four [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of experimental bleaching gels containing chitosan and theobromine and compare their performance in terms of tooth surface roughness, microhardness, and colour change with the bleaching gels BioWhiten ProHome and FGM Whiteness Perfect. One hundred and forty-four upper central incisors were used for microhardness, surface roughness, and colour change analyses (n = 12). Prior to bleaching, surface roughness was measured using a profilometer, microhardness was analysed using a Vickers hardness test, and colour was measured using a spectrophotometer. For Group 1, the treatment consisted of an experimental gel containing chitosan–theobromine (16% CP); for Group 2, it was an experimental gel containing chitosan–theobromine (6% HP); for Group 3, it consisted of BioWhiten ProHome (6% HP); and for Group 4, it consisted of FGM Whiteness Perfect (16% CP). Microhardness and surface roughness tests were performed under the same conditions before bleaching, after bleaching, and 14 days after the initial treatment. Colour analysis was performed before the bleaching, during the application, 24 h after bleaching, and at 7 and 14 days after treatment. p < 0.05 was considered significant. No statistically significant increase in microhardness values after bleaching was detected in any group (p > 0.05), effective bleaching was detected in all groups, and the highest efficacy was observed in Group 4 (p < 0.05). The experimental gels containing theobromine and chitosan resulted in effective bleaching and did not exert any negative effects regarding surface roughness or microhardness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
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25 pages, 4126 KB  
Article
Antimicrobial Sol–Gel Glassy Surfaces for Modification of Dental Implant Abutments to Reduce Microbial Adhesion
by Özlem Çölgeçen, Murat Akarsu, Esin Akarsu, Ataç Uzel, Feyzan Özdal Kurt, Eyüp Sabri Topal, Gül Merve Gençer, Ahmet Keski and Emre Yavuz
Gels 2025, 11(11), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110882 - 3 Nov 2025
Viewed by 618
Abstract
Microbial colonization is a major factor contributing to peri-implantitis, and creating durable glassy surfaces with antimicrobial agents such as silver and copper may reduce microbial accumulation on dental abutments. This study aimed to develop antimicrobial thin-film glassy surfaces on Ti6Al4V alloy and to [...] Read more.
Microbial colonization is a major factor contributing to peri-implantitis, and creating durable glassy surfaces with antimicrobial agents such as silver and copper may reduce microbial accumulation on dental abutments. This study aimed to develop antimicrobial thin-film glassy surfaces on Ti6Al4V alloy and to evaluate their surface and mechanical properties, antimicrobial effectiveness, and biocompatibility before and after thermal aging. A sol–gel-derived glassy matrix (G) was synthesized, and two antimicrobial coatings were prepared by incorporating ionic Ag (GAg) or a combination of Ag/Cu (GAgCu). Ti6Al4V specimens; these were either left uncoated or dip-coated with G, GAg, or GAgCu and cured at 450 °C. Half of the specimens underwent thermal aging between 5 °C and 55 °C for 3000 cycles. Surface roughness, contact angle, hardness, adhesion strength, scratch resistance, cytotoxicity (Agar diffusion and MTT assay on L929 fibroblasts), and microbial adhesion were evaluated using Streptococcus sanguinis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans as representative oral microorganisms. Both coatings exhibited low surface roughness, hydrophilic surfaces, improved hardness, and significantly reduced microbial adhesion for all tested species. GAg showed superior mechanical properties, whereas GAgCu demonstrated a relatively stronger antimicrobial effect. Cytotoxicity tests indicated that all coatings were biocompatible at levels suitable for oral use. Overall, these coatings demonstrated strong adhesion, durability, and antimicrobial activity, suggesting their suitability for dental abutments made of Ti6Al4V. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
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15 pages, 3543 KB  
Article
Photoactivated Curcumin-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles in Hydrogel: A Cutting-Edge Intracanal Medicament for Advanced Endodontic Therapy
by Sónia Ferreira, Liliana Grenho, Maria H. Fernandes and Sofia A. Costa Lima
Gels 2025, 11(5), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11050308 - 22 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1480
Abstract
Intracanal reinfections continue to pose a major challenge in endodontic treatment. Photodynamic therapy has emerged as a promising antimicrobial strategy. Regarding this, curcumin (CUR), a natural photosensitizer, shows potential in this context, but its application is hampered by poor solubility and rapid degradation. [...] Read more.
Intracanal reinfections continue to pose a major challenge in endodontic treatment. Photodynamic therapy has emerged as a promising antimicrobial strategy. Regarding this, curcumin (CUR), a natural photosensitizer, shows potential in this context, but its application is hampered by poor solubility and rapid degradation. This study aimed to develop and characterize a CUR-loaded nanoparticle-enriched hydrogel to enhance its stability, sustain its release, and evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy upon photoactivation (PhAc). Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated into a hydrogel matrix, followed by characterization using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, in vitro CUR release studies, and rheological analysis. Antibiofilm activity against Enterococcus faecalis was assessed under both photoactivated and non-photoactivated conditions. Cytocompatibility was analyzed through fibroblast viability assays and fluorescence staining. The CUR-containing hydrogel demonstrated a sustained release profile extending beyond 72 h. Rheological studies confirmed its shear-thinning behavior, ensuring injectability even after post-photoactivation. Antibiofilm assays revealed a significant reduction in E. faecalis biofilms, with PhAc formulations exhibiting markedly enhanced antibacterial efficacy compared to their non-PhAc counterparts. Cytocompatibility assays confirmed that all formulations, including those subjected to PDT, preserved fibroblast viability, indicating biocompatibility suitable for clinical use. In sum, the CUR-containing hydrogel exhibits properties that support its potential as an effective intracanal therapeutic, combining antimicrobial and photodynamic effects to help prevent reinfections in endodontic treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
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Review

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29 pages, 1302 KB  
Review
Functional and Bioactive Performance of Premixed Bioceramic Sealers with Warm Obturation: A Scoping Review
by Patryk Wiśniewski, Stanisław Krokosz, Małgorzata Pietruska and Anna Zalewska
Gels 2025, 11(11), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110932 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 748
Abstract
Premixed bioceramic sealers represent a recent advancement in endodontic obturation, combining bioactivity, moisture-induced mineralization and favorable handling properties. When used with warm gutta-percha techniques, these calcium silicate-based sealers are exposed to elevated temperatures that may influence their physicochemical behavior and interfacial performance. This [...] Read more.
Premixed bioceramic sealers represent a recent advancement in endodontic obturation, combining bioactivity, moisture-induced mineralization and favorable handling properties. When used with warm gutta-percha techniques, these calcium silicate-based sealers are exposed to elevated temperatures that may influence their physicochemical behavior and interfacial performance. This review aimed to summarize current evidence on premixed bioceramic sealers used in conjunction with thermoplastic obturation techniques. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2020 and July 2025 evaluating the physicochemical properties, bioactivity, sealing ability, fracture resistance, clinical outcomes and retreatability of premixed bioceramic sealers under warm obturation conditions. No meta-analysis was performed—this review provides a narrative synthesis of the available evidence within this scope. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. In vitro and ex vivo data indicate that premixed bioceramic sealers generally maintain chemical stability and bioactivity when exposed to clinically relevant heating protocols, with favorable dentinal tubule penetration, interfacial adaptation and the formation of calcium silicate hydrate, and hydroxyapatite at the sealer–dentin interface. These characteristics are associated with improved filling homogeneity, potential reinforcement of root dentin and high rates of periapical healing reported in limited short-term clinical studies. However, the evidence also highlights important challenges, including technique-sensitive retreatability, material remnants after re-instrumentation and concerns regarding overextension, and long-term dimensional stability. Within the limitations of predominantly in vitro and short-term clinical evidence, premixed bioceramic sealers used with warm gutta-percha techniques appear to be promising functional materials that combine mechanical sealing with bioactive and mineralizing potential. Standardized protocols and robust long-term clinical studies are needed to confirm their durability, retreatability and prognostic impact in routine endodontic practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
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14 pages, 671 KB  
Review
White Spot Lesion Treatment Options: A Systematic Review of Different Techniques for Masking These Lesions
by Michela Lamorgese, Nélio Veiga, Maria J. Correia, Ana T. P. C. Gomes, Sara Lopes, Lígia Lopes-Rocha, Rita Fidalgo-Pereira and Pedro C. Lopes
Gels 2025, 11(5), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11050371 - 19 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7343
Abstract
White spot lesions (WSLs) are early clinical stages of enamel demineralization, often related to orthodontic treatment or poor oral hygiene. The use of gels such as fluoride for topical application inhibits demineralization and promotes remineralization of dental tissues through various mechanisms. A variety [...] Read more.
White spot lesions (WSLs) are early clinical stages of enamel demineralization, often related to orthodontic treatment or poor oral hygiene. The use of gels such as fluoride for topical application inhibits demineralization and promotes remineralization of dental tissues through various mechanisms. A variety of therapeutic approaches are available; however, recent research indicates that combined treatment strategies may yield superior clinical outcomes compared to monotherapy. The aim of this study was to critically compare the efficacy of combining multiple treatment techniques for WSLs compared to using these techniques alone. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases according to PRISMA guidelines. The PICO strategy was used to formulate the research question: Which clinical approaches combined or isolated (C) influence the treatment and prevention effectiveness (O) of white spot lesions (I) in humans (P) in the last ten years (T)? Inclusion criteria focused on clinical studies from the last ten years evaluating the combined use of at least two treatment techniques for WSL, resulting in a total of 8 randomized controlled trials selected from an initial pool of 1185 articles. Our results suggest that combined treatment strategies, including resin infiltration with fluoride varnish and ozone therapy combined with fluoride application, demonstrated enhanced efficacy in lesion masking and remineralization compared to single-treatment approaches. CPP-ACP and hydroxyapatite-based creams improved aesthetics, particularly when used alongside fluoride varnish. Our study concluded that the combination of remineralization agents like fluoride gel, infiltrative resins, and antimicrobial treatments offers superior outcomes on white spot lesion treatment than using these techniques alone. However, long-term clinical studies are needed to standardize treatment protocols and confirm durability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
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