Hydroxyapatite-Based Biomaterials in Dentistry: Functional Performance and Clinical Relevance—A Narrative Review

Hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials are widely investigated for oral-tissue-healing applications; however, the available literature is heterogeneous in terms of material design, experimental models, and reported outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 that investigate hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials in the context of oral soft and hard tissue healing. The literature was identified through targeted searches of major scientific databases and selected based on relevance to material characteristics, biological response, and oral regenerative applications. The analysis reveals substantial heterogeneity in material formulation, experimental design, and outcome assessment, limiting direct comparison between studies and translational interpretation. While modified and nano-sized hydroxyapatite systems often demonstrate enhanced biological responses, supporting evidence is predominantly preclinical. Greater standardization of methodologies and outcome measures is required to strengthen clinical relevance.