Advanced Biomaterials and Engineered Systems in Endodontics

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Dental Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2690

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Interests: host–microbe interaction; biomaterials; mechanobiology; organs-on-chip

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Guest Editor
Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Interests: dentistry; antimicrobial peptides; implants; surfaces; hemidesmosomes; epithelium; bioinstruction; extracellular matrix
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore cutting-edge advancements in biomaterials and engineered systems that are revolutionizing endodontic therapy and regenerative endodontics. The scope encompasses innovative strategies to enhance root canal treatment outcomes, promote pulp regeneration, and address inflammation and infection through next-generation biomaterials and technologies. Incorporating these collective strategies is essential for oral health and the associated benefits to society.

The issue will focus on, but is not limited to, the following key themes:

  1. Next-generation root canal and root-end filling materials—novel bioactive, antimicrobial, and mechanically optimized materials that improve sealing efficacy and tissue integration.
  2. Engineered systems for root canal drug delivery—including metal–organic framework (MOF)-based materials for enhanced antimicrobial action and biofilm disruption.
  3. Micro- and nanorobots for root canal debridement and biofilm removal—autonomous or externally guided microrobotic systems for precision biofilm disruption, drug delivery, and disinfection in complex root canal anatomy.
  4. Intracanal drug delivery systems—injectable hydrogels for controlled release of bioactive molecules and cell-based regenerative endodontic therapies.
  5. Nanomedicine applications—lipid nanoparticles incorporating mRNA technology for targeted anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative therapies in endodontics.
  6. Cell-free therapies—exosome-based approaches to modulate inflammation and stimulate pulp–dentin complex regeneration.
  7. Tissue-engineered dental pulp constructs—utilizing advanced 3D bioprinting and organ-on-chip microperfusion bioreactor systems to generate transplantable dental pulp constructs. 

This Special Issue will position itself within the growing body of literature on biomaterial-driven endodontic innovations by highlighting translational research that bridges clinical endodontics with material science, nanotechnology, robotics, and tissue engineering. By compiling high-quality original research and reviews, this issue will serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to leverage biomaterials for improved endodontic therapies and regenerative solutions.

We invite contributions that address these themes, including experimental studies (in vitro and in vivo), clinical trials, and reviews, to advance the understanding and application of biomaterials in modern endodontics.

Dr. Hardik Makkar
Dr. Nicholas G. Fischer
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. Journal of Functional Biomaterials 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 2700 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

  • bioactive materials 
  • tissue-engineered dental pulp 
  • antimicrobial 
  • drug delivery
  • endodontic biomaterials
  • bioprinting 
  • nanomedicine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1221 KB  
Article
Evaluation of the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Calcium-Silicate-Based Root-End Filling Materials
by Asuka Aka, Takashi Matsuura and Atsutoshi Yoshimura
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17030131 - 9 Mar 2026
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Abstract
This study compared the physicochemical and biological properties of Bio-C Repair (BR), a new putty-type calcium silicate-based material, with ProRoot MTA (P) and Super-Bond (SB). Discs of the three materials were prepared. Human periodontal ligament cells were seeded onto the discs, and metabolic [...] Read more.
This study compared the physicochemical and biological properties of Bio-C Repair (BR), a new putty-type calcium silicate-based material, with ProRoot MTA (P) and Super-Bond (SB). Discs of the three materials were prepared. Human periodontal ligament cells were seeded onto the discs, and metabolic activity was assessed by MTT assay on days 7 and 28; cells without discs served as the negative control (NC). Moreover, the pH and calcium ion concentration of the eluate, the mass change, and the water sorption were investigated. On day 7, BR showed significantly lower cell activity than P and NC. However, by day 28, BR activity increased significantly, with no significant difference relative to other groups, whereas P activity was significantly suppressed relative to SB and NC. Physiochemically, BR maintained a significantly higher alkalinity (pH ~11.0) and greater calcium ion release than P throughout the 28 days. Furthermore, BR exhibited significant mass gain (15.7%) and the highest water sorption (15.4%), whereas P showed mass loss (−1.1%). Although the high pH of BR initially suppressed cell activity, it demonstrated favorable cytocompatibility by day 28. BR showed a significantly improved long-term cellular response compared to P, suggesting it is a promising alternative as a root-end filling material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials and Engineered Systems in Endodontics)
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16 pages, 1608 KB  
Article
Injectable Piezoelectric Hydrogel for Vital Pulp Therapy
by Varun Solanki, Carolina Montoya, Prasanna Neelakantan, Maobin Yang and Santiago Orrego
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(12), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16120452 - 5 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Vital pulp therapy (VPT) seeks to preserve pulp vitality by using biocompatible with regenerative potential. This study tested the hypothesis that an injectable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing piezoelectric barium titanate promotes odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) significantly better than [...] Read more.
Vital pulp therapy (VPT) seeks to preserve pulp vitality by using biocompatible with regenerative potential. This study tested the hypothesis that an injectable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing piezoelectric barium titanate promotes odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) significantly better than a commercially available tricalcium silicate material used for vital pulp therapy. First, the light-curable, injectable piezoelectric hydrogel was engineered and characterized for its physicomechanical, piezoelectric properties and biocompatibility to DPSCs. The effect of this gel on the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs was determined by measuring the expression level of key genes, compared to Biodentine XP. The hydrogel exhibited excellent injectability (<1 kgf of force), mechanical stability, and generated physiologically relevant voltages under cyclic loading mimicking mastication. MTT and ROS assays show no cytotoxic or damaging oxidative stress effects. When DPSCs were cultured over the materials under cyclic loading, the piezoelectric hydrogel significantly enhanced cell viability and upregulated COL1A1, DSPP, and DMP1 expression compared to Biodentine XP and non-piezoelectric hydrogel controls. These findings establish piezoelectric hydrogel as a self-powered, bioactive platform that converts physiological forces into regenerative bioelectric cues, offering a promising next-generation material for vital pulp therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials and Engineered Systems in Endodontics)
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