Nanomaterials in craniofacial tissue regeneration: A review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an exciting and innovative field when combined with tissue engineering, as it offers greater versatility in scaffold design for promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The use of nanomaterials in craniofacial tissue regeneration is a newly developing field that holds great potential for treating craniofacial defects. This review presents an overview of the nanomaterials used for craniofacial tissue regeneration as well as their clinical applications for periodontal, vascular (endodontics), cartilage (temporomandibular joint), and bone tissue regeneration (dental implants and mandibular defects). To enhance periodontal tissue regeneration, nanohydroxyapatite was used in conjunction with other scaffold materials, such as polylactic acid, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyamide, chitosan, and polycaprolactone. To facilitate pulp regeneration along with the revascularization of the periapical tissue, polymeric nanofibers were used to simulate extracellular matrix formation. For temporomandibular joint (cartilage) engineering, nanofibrous-type and nanocomposite-based scaffolds improved tissue growth, cell differentiation, adhesion, and synthesis of cartilaginous extracellular matrix. To enhance bone regeneration for dental implants and mandibular bone defects, nanomaterials such as nanohydroxyapatite composite scaffolds, nanomodified mineral trioxide aggregate, and graphene were tested. Although the scientific knowledge in nanomaterials is rapidly advancing, there remain many unexplored data regarding their standardization, safety, and interactions with the nanoenvironment.