Role of Alginate-based Scaffolds for Periodontal Regeneration of Intrabony Defects: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of scaffolds based on alginate in the regeneration of intrabony defects in periodontal tissue. Materials and methods: A thorough exploration was conducted in databases such as “PubMed,” “Google Scholar,” “Cochrane Library,” and “Science Direct,” adhering to predefined eligibility criteria. Following meticulous screening, studies involving in vitro and in vivo assessments of alginate’s efficacy as a scaffold were chosen for inclusion. Results: The eight chosen studies investigated the involvement of alginate-based scaffolds in the regeneration of periodontal tissues. Among these, five in vivo studies utilized histologic and histometric analyzes, while the remaining in vitro studies examined bone regeneration by assessing alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) through various staining methods. Comparisons were made with other biopolymers, molecules, or stem cells. Across all eight studies, alginate scaffolds consistently demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of bone regeneration. Conclusion: Combining alginate with other biopolymers can enhance its regenerative efficacy. Therefore, future researchers should concentrate on integrating novel biopolymers for further improvement. Clinical significance: Scaffolds made from alginate possess the ability to restore tissue lost as a result of periodontitis, demonstrating significant clinical relevance.