Hydrogels in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Hydrogels are three-dimensional hydrophilic polymer networks with high water content. They are gaining prominence in dentistry because of their biomimetic adaptability and biocompatibility. This narrative review aims to critically evaluate the multifaceted applications of hydrogels in dental care by synthesizing current evidence from published studies, materials science research, and reviews. Relevant literature was identified through electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on publications investigating the structure and properties, classification, and dental applications of hydrogels. This review selected 81 representative articles that highlight key advantages of hydrogels, including natural tissue mimicry, interconnected porosity for nutrient exchange, tunable mechanical properties, and stimuli-responsive behaviour. Clinically, hydrogels show promise in caries management, periodontal therapy, endodontic regeneration, and prosthetic dentistry by acting as carriers for remineralizing and antimicrobial agents, supporting targeted tissue scaffolds, and serving as bioactive coatings. However, limited mechanical robustness in load-bearing regions and unreliable adhesion in wet oral conditions remain major challenges. Current research efforts focus on 3D bioprinting for anatomical precision, dual-crosslinked networks for enhanced durability, and enzymetriggered systems for targeted infection control. This review concluded that hydrogels derived from natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymers, and engineered with stimuli-responsive, antimicrobial, and bioactive functions, show promise for investigation in the dynamic oral environment. However, their clinical application remains largely investigational, with most evidence derived from preclinical models. This work is clinical relevant as hydrogel-based biomaterials support minimally invasive care in caries, periodontal, endodontic, and prosthetic treatments. Rigorous clinical validation is needed before hydrogels can be recommended as established treatments supporting a shift towards minimally invasive, regenerative dentistry.