Nanobiomaterials in periodontal tissue engineering

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease that progressively destroys the periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone, and supporting soft tissues, ultimately leading to tooth loss and impaired oral function. Conventional therapeutic approaches, including scaling and root planing, guided tissue regeneration, bone grafting, and surgical interventions, often achieve only partial regeneration because of the complex architecture and multifunctional nature of the periodontium. Nanobiomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for overcoming these limitations by providing biomimetic scaffolds that closely emulate the nanoscale structure of the native extracellular matrix while enhancing cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of nanobiomaterials for periodontal tissue engineering, emphasizing their composition, fabrication strategies, biological performance, and regenerative potential. Polymer-based nanobiomaterials—including alginate, chitosan, polylactide (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), and collagen—are discussed with respect to their physicochemical properties, biodegradability, mechanical characteristics, and applications as scaffolds, barrier membranes, and delivery systems for bioactive molecules. Ceramic-based nanobiomaterials, particularly nanohydroxyapatite, are also reviewed for their osteoconductive properties and ability to promote periodontal ligament cell attachment and bone regeneration. The chapter further examines nanocomposite scaffolds incorporating bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, growth factors, and gene delivery systems that synergistically enhance periodontal regeneration. Collectively, the evidence demonstrates that nanoscale design significantly improves biomaterial–cell interactions and creates favorable microenvironments for the coordinated regeneration of hard and soft periodontal tissues. Finally, current challenges, translational considerations, and future directions are highlighted, including functionally graded scaffolds, multifunctional nanocomposites, and clinically relevant regenerative strategies aimed at improving long-term outcomes in periodontal therapy.