Harnessing hydrogel technology for advanced periodontitis therapy: A multifunctional approach to oral health restoration

Periodontitis is a bacterially driven inflammatory disease that can lead to tooth mobility and tooth loss. Conventional non-surgical therapy, antibiotics, and surgery may be limited by residual subgingival biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, and variable clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes recent studies of hydrogel-based systems for local periodontal therapy, focusing on stimuli-responsive release mechanisms, cargo-loading approaches, and regenerative outcomes in relevant animal models. Across these studies, hydrogels function as localized delivery matrices that can prolong retention at periodontal defects, regulate therapeutic exposure, and support tissue repair. We further evaluate translational considerations, including degradation behavior, long-term in vivo stability, and immunocompatibility. These findings position hydrogels as adaptable platforms for more precise periodontitis management and identify priorities for preclinical optimization before clinical translation.