Biomaterials for Management of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue highlights recent advancements and interdisciplinary innovations in cariology and periodontology—two critical domains in oral health research that address some of the most widespread and persistent dental diseases globally.

According to the World Health Organization’s Global Oral Health Status Report 2022, dental caries in permanent teeth is the most common health condition worldwide, affecting approximately 2.5 billion people. Untreated caries in primary teeth remains a pressing concern in children, with over 514 million cases reported globally. At the same time, severe periodontal diseases affect around 1 billion people and are a major cause of tooth loss in adults, with serious implications for systemic health, including links to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

These statistics underscore the substantial global burden of both dental caries and periodontal disease as noncommunicable, chronic conditions that compromise quality of life, increase healthcare costs, and disproportionately affect underserved populations.

While traditional approaches such as fluoride therapy, mechanical plaque control, and restorative or surgical treatments have played important roles in caries and periodontal management, they often lack long-term bioactivity and fail to address the underlying biological processes of disease progression and tissue regeneration. In response, there has been a growing focus on the development of advanced biomaterials that not only prevent disease but also support tissue repair and regeneration.

In cariology, functional biomaterials exhibit antimicrobial properties that target cariogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, thereby reducing acid production and biofilm formation. Remineralizing agents restore essential minerals to enamel and dentin, reversing early-stage lesions. Cariostatic biomaterials further protect dental tissues by modulating local pH, releasing fluoride or therapeutic ions, and promoting hard tissue regeneration.

In periodontology, biomaterials are increasingly being used to promote periodontal tissue regeneration, including the repair of alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum. These materials may incorporate growth factors, antimicrobial peptides, or immunomodulatory agents to combat periodontal pathogens, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the regeneration of soft and hard periodontal structures.

This Special Issue brings together pioneering research and translational studies on multifunctional biomaterials that exhibit antimicrobial, remineralizing, and regenerative properties. By bridging innovations in cariology and periodontology, this Special Issue aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and contribute to global efforts in reducing the burden of oral diseases through advanced, evidence-based biomaterial science.

Dr. Mohammed Zahedul Islam Nizami
Prof. Dr. Shogo Takashiba
Guest Editors

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