Smart Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering of Hard and Soft Tissues in the Oral Cavity

• Published in: Smart Systems in Biotechnology pp. 225 - 257
• Main Authors: Kwan, Jan C., Pillai, Sangeeth, Cao, Uyen M. N., Tran, Simon D.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 2024
• Edition: 1
• ISBN: 9781032358086; 9781032358383; 1032358386; 1032358084
• DOI: 10.1201/9781003328919-8

In the expansive landscape of biotechnology, smart hydrogels have carved an impressive niche within the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The current development of smart hydrogels has not only reshaped how we envision biomaterials but has also extended into a wide range of industrial and biomedical applications. In tissue engineering, smart hydrogels offer a dynamic platform for tissue repair and regeneration as they can respond and adapt to external stimuli, guided by cues such as pH, temperature, and enzymes in their surrounding environment. The versatility of smart hydrogels lies in their tunable mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, which can be controlled to mimic specific microenvironments based on a desired clinical application. This chapter will present the general classification, fabrication, properties, and characterization of smart hydrogels in the context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, recent applications of smart hydrogels in the oral cavity for regenerating and revitalizing hard and soft dental tissues will be discussed and explored. This provides insight into current limitations, necessary advancements, and the outlook of smart hydrogels for tissue engineering, both in general and within the field of dentistry.