Nanomedicine for Cranial Repair: Insights From Recent Advance in Nanomaterial-Based Cranioplasty

Abstract

Cranial defect repair remains a major challenge in orthopedics and regenerative medicine. Traditional approaches like autologous bone grafts face some limitations, including donor site morbidity and infection risks. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled innovative nanomedicine-based strategies for cranial repair. This review highlights current progress, applications, and challenges of nanomedicines, focusing on 10 bioactive categories: Ca-, C-, Ti-, Mg-, Ag-, Mn-, Si-, Se-, bio-based, and carrier-based nanomaterials. Among these, Ca-based nanomedicines, particularly nano-hydroxyapatite, dominate due to their structural similarity to natural bone. C-, Mg-, and Ti-based nanomaterials also show promise, offering excellent mechanical strength, biodegradability, and osteogenic activity. Bio-based and carrier-based systems further enhance biocompatibility and enable controlled drug delivery for improved bone regeneration. Despite their potential, critical challenges remain, including nanotoxicity, degradation control, and long-term clinical safety. Future research should focus on optimizing material properties, enhancing bioactivity, and ensuring translational feasibility. By addressing these hurdles, nanomedicine-based therapies could revolutionize cranial defect repair, providing safer, more efficient alternatives to conventional treatments. This review discusses these advancements while outlining future directions to maximize clinical impact.