Electrospun polycaprolactone-chitosan nanofibers on a zinc mesh as biodegradable guided bone-regeneration membranes with enhanced mechanical, antibacterial, and osteogenic properties for alveolar bone-repair applications

Implantable Dental Barrier Membranes as Regenerative Medicine in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis and bone loss in the maxillofacial and dental areas pose considerable challenges for both functional and aesthetic outcomes. To date, implantable dental barrier membranes, designed to prevent epithelial migration into defects and create a favorable environment for targeted cells, have garnered significant interest from researchers. Consequently, a variety of materials and fabrication methods have been explored in extensive research on regenerative dental barrier membranes.

METHODS

This review focuses on dental barrier membranes, summarizing the various biomaterials used in membrane manufacturing, fabrication methods, and state-of-the-art applications for dental tissue regeneration. Based on a discussion of the pros and cons of current membrane strategies, future research directions for improved membrane designs are proposed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

To endow dental membranes with various biological properties that accommodate different clinical situations, numerous biomaterials and manufacturing methods have been proposed. These approaches provide theoretical support and hold promise for advancements in dental tissue regeneration.

Electrospun PCL membranes for localized drug delivery and bone regeneration

BACKGROUND

Bone loss caused by cysts, tumors, trauma, and other factors is a significant challenge in medicine and dentistry. Effective bone regeneration is essential for accelerated healing and improved bone volume. While systemic drug supplementation helps, local delivery through gbr/gtr membranes is preferred for targeted treatment with minimal systemic effects. This study aims to develop drug-loaded gbr membranes using electrospinning to enhance localized drug delivery and tissue regeneration.

METHODS

Polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes were produced via electrospinning with various concentrations and solvent ratios. Therapeutic agents-pentoxifylline, carrageenan, and sodium fluoride-were incorporated into the membranes. Morphological analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical properties were assessed through tensile testing, structural characterization was done via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal properties were evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Drug release behavior was studied using UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

SEM revealed optimal fiber morphology in membranes with 10% PCL and 1% pentoxifylline, 0.5% NaF, and 1% carrageenan. Tensile strength was highest in 10% PCL membranes (2.5 MPa), outperforming 12% PCL (1.8 MPa). FTIR and TGA confirmed successful drug incorporation and thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures ranging from 395 °C to 510.9 °C. UV-Vis showed effective drug release, with 2% pentoxifylline achieving the highest release at 2 h (34%) and 4 h (62%), demonstrating enhanced performance for localized drug delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

PCL-based electrospun membranes with therapeutic agents were successfully developed, exhibiting promising characteristics for localized drug delivery and tissue regeneration. These membranes showed comparable mechanical properties to commercial GBR/GTR membranes. Future research should focus on optimizing formulations and evaluating clinical efficacy.