Biomaterials and Agents: Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications in Dental and Orthopedic Research

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2026) | Viewed by 2938

Editors


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Guest Editor
Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: biomaterials; bone tissue engineering; dental materials; bioactive coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: material characterization; materials; nanomaterials; material; X-ray diffraction; thin films and nanotechnology; mechanical properties

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials play a crucial role in restorative dentistry and orthopedics, with a wide range of applications, including use in dental and orthopedic implants and scaffolds for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration. When enriched with different biological agents, they can be used in medical treatments to deliver antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or agents that promote healing and tissue regeneration.

This Special Issue will focus on pharmaceutical and biomedical applications of biomaterials and agents in dentistry and orthopedics, with a strong emphasis on new technologies, innovations, and advancements in material production and applied treatments. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Biological Agents for Dental and Orthopedic Applications: The use of biological agents for dental pulp regeneration and the repair of dental tissues; applications of biological agents in bone repair and regeneration, including osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties; the use of biological agents for promoting cartilage regeneration and repair.
  2. Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites in Dentistry and Orthopedics: The development and application of nanomaterials for drug delivery in dental and orthopedic treatments; the use of nanocomposites to enhance the performance of dental and orthopedic implants; nanotechnology-based approaches to infection prevention in orthopedic and dental surgeries.
  3. Advanced Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine: Synthetic and natural biomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration; composite biomaterials (ceramics, polymers, hydrogels) for optimal tissue repair and regeneration.
  4. Cell–Biomaterial Interactions: Study of cell–biomaterial interactions in dental and orthopedic applications; mechanisms behind biological agents promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on biomaterial surfaces.
  5. 3D Printing and Bioprinting Technologies: Applications of 3D printing to create dental and orthopedic prostheses; the development of bioprinted scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
  6. Drug Delivery Applications: Exploration of biomaterials as platforms for targeted drug delivery in dental and orthopedic treatments, including the development of smart drug delivery systems that can release therapeutic agents in response to specific stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, or enzyme activity); the use of nanomaterials and microencapsulation technologies to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of drugs; the integration of 3D printing technologies to create personalized drug delivery devices and scaffolds that can release therapeutic agents locally.

We welcome contributions that address these and related topics. Through this Special Issue, we aim to advance the understanding and application of biomaterials and agents in dental and orthopedic research.

Dr. Božana Petrović
Prof. Dr. Vukoman R. Jokanović
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • dental and orthopedic applications
  • regenerative medicine
  • nanotechnology
  • 3D printing
  • drug delivery systems

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4468 KB  
Article
Exploratory Evaluation of a Sodium Iodide-Based Root Canal Filling Formulation in a Canine Model of Enterococcus faecalis-Induced Periapical Inflammation
by Saeromi Jun, Sak Lee, Jong-Soo Kim, Min-Cheol Song, Ji-Sun Shin, Yu-Jin Kim, Jung-Wook Kim and Jung-Hwan Lee
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040493 - 17 Apr 2026
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Premature loss of primary teeth can disrupt occlusal development and oral function. Although iodoform-based materials such as Vitapex® are widely used, concerns remain regarding their cytotoxicity and potential to accelerate root resorption. Sodium iodide (NaI) has emerged as [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Premature loss of primary teeth can disrupt occlusal development and oral function. Although iodoform-based materials such as Vitapex® are widely used, concerns remain regarding their cytotoxicity and potential to accelerate root resorption. Sodium iodide (NaI) has emerged as a biocompatible, antibacterial alternative. This study evaluated the feasibility of a NaI-based root canal filling material in a canine model of Enterococcus faecalis-induced periapical inflammation. Methods: Periapical lesions were induced in a healthy male mongrel dog using E. faecalis (106 CFU/mL). After six weeks, the root canals were obturated with NaI paste, Vitapex®, or Calcipex. Untreated teeth and an E. faecalis-only group served as controls. Radiographic lesion sizes were monitored at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks post-obturation. Histological analysis at 16 weeks assessed inflammatory area and perimeter, stromal fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression. Results: Radiographically, all treatment groups showed reduced lesion size relative to the positive control. No significant differences were observed among the NaI, Vitapex®, and Calcipex groups at 4 and 8 weeks; however, significant differences emerged at 12 and 16 weeks (p < 0.05). The NaI group showed lesion reduction until week 8, followed by subsequent expansion thereafter, whereas the Vitapex® and Calcipex groups showed continuous lesion reduction over time. Histologically, the periapical inflammatory area increased in the order of Vitapex® < Calcipex < NaI < positive control (p < 0.05). MPO staining identified neutrophils as the primary inflammatory cells. Conclusions: NaI paste showed favorable early radiographic healing but limited long-term stability compared with conventional materials. With further optimization, it may have potential as an alternative root canal filling material. However, given the single-animal exploratory design, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary rather than definitive evidence. Full article
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21 pages, 14021 KB  
Article
Three-Dimensional-Printed Bone Grafts for Simultaneous Bone and Cartilage Regeneration: A Promising Approach to Osteochondral Tissue Engineering
by Smiljana Paraš, Božana Petrović, Dijana Mitić, Miloš Lazarević, Marijana Popović Bajić, Marija Živković, Milutin Mićić, Vladimir Biočanin, Slavoljub Živković and Vukoman Jokanović
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040489 - 8 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1728
Abstract
Background/Objectives: A novel 3D-printed, bioresorbable bone graft, made of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) covered by poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), showed strongly expressed osteoinductive properties in our previous investigations. The current study examines its application in the dual regeneration of bone and cartilage by combining with nHAP [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A novel 3D-printed, bioresorbable bone graft, made of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) covered by poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), showed strongly expressed osteoinductive properties in our previous investigations. The current study examines its application in the dual regeneration of bone and cartilage by combining with nHAP gel obtained by nHAP enrichment with hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium hyaluronate, and chondroitin sulfate. Methods: In the in vitro part of the study, the mitochondrial activity and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells derived from apical papilla (SCAPs) in the presence of nHAP gel were investigated. For the in vivo part of the study, three rabbits underwent segmental osteotomies of the lateral condyle of the femur, and defects were filled by 3D-printed grafts customized to the defect geometry. Results: In vitro study revealed that nHAP gel displayed significant biocompatibility, substantially increasing mitochondrial activity and facilitating the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of SCAPs. For the in vivo part of the study, after a 12-week healing period, partial resorption of the graft was observed, and lamellar bone tissue with Haversian systems was detected. Histological and stereological evaluations of the implanted grafts indicated successful bone regeneration, marked by the infiltration of new bone and cartilaginous tissue into the graft. The existence of osteocytes and increased vascularization indicated active osteogenesis. The hyaline cartilage near the graft showed numerous new chondrocytes and a significant layer of newly formed cartilage. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that tailored 3D-printed bone grafts could efficiently promote the healing of substantial bone defects and the formation of new cartilage without requiring supplementary biological factors, offering a feasible alternative for clinical bone repair applications. Full article
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