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Gels
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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 November 2025 | Viewed by 1105

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3543 KiB  
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
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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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14 pages, 671 KiB  
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
Viewed by 271
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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