Taulant Goga, Bledar Goxha, Alberto Maria Crovace, Mario Cinone, Luca Lacitignola, Marta Guadalupi, Erinda Lika
{"title":"Tomographic Assessment of Bone Regeneration in Osteochondral Lesion Treated with Various Biomaterials in a Sheep Model Study.","authors":"Taulant Goga, Bledar Goxha, Alberto Maria Crovace, Mario Cinone, Luca Lacitignola, Marta Guadalupi, Erinda Lika","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Osteochondral defects, involving both articular cartilage and subchondral bone, pose significant challenges to joint function and health due to the lack of spontaneous healing and the risk of long-term degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Biomaterials have emerged as important components in the development of scaffolds, providing structural support that facilitates tissue growth, integration, and regeneration. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a tomographic assessment method for optimizing the evaluation of osteochondral regeneration, particularly using Hounsfield units, to enable the evaluation of scaffold integration and tissue regeneration. The sheep model was selected as a model study. Two distinct configurations of biomaterials were utilized in this study: Honey (HMG-Mg doped hydroxyapatite; HWS-wollastonite-hydroxyapatite) and Bi-layer (BWS-wollastonite-hydroxyapatite). The HMG scaffold demonstrated superior integration, reparative tissue quality, and regeneration potential compared to the HWS, BWS, and CTRL groups. The findings underscore the significance of CT assessment as a preliminary method for evaluating hard tissue, such as bone, employing Hounsfield units. Statistical evaluations validated the significant differences in performance, particularly favoring the HMG group. The results of this study underscore the importance of tomographic assessment in evaluation of osteochondral regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fabrication and Characterization of Highly Porous Gyroid Scaffolds Composed of Deproteinized Bone Mineral.","authors":"Otoniel Durán Hernández, Vail Baumer, Genesis Marrero, Sreya Karumanchi, David Prawel","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current treatment methods for critical bone defects involve the implantation of large bone grafts, which are limited by tissue availability and failure to heal correctly with high complication rates. Bioengineered scaffolds have emerged, which deploy biodegradable, highly osteoconductive materials in porous structures to accommodate the high mass transport requirements of large bone defects. Ideal scaffold biomaterials require a balance between strength, composition, and osteoconduction, a balance which has yet to be discovered. Naturally derived materials like deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) have seen successful clinical use for decades as bone void fillers, but their granular or putty form lacks the interconnected porosity required to treat large defects. Leveraging the clinical success of DBBM, this paper presents the first fabrication of highly porous scaffolds composed of naturally derived, deproteinized bone mineral, for potential use in large bone defects. Ovine bone mineral powder was prepared from fresh ovine bone, fabricated into a photopolymeric slurry and 3D-printed using a photocasting process into 67% porous gyroid scaffolds. Ovine bone mineral composition, surface microstructure, compressive properties, and failure probability were evaluated and compared to gyroid scaffolds composed of tricalcium phosphate. Both scaffold types were similar, with characteristics in the low range of human cancellous bone.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028333/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143969590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexander J Choi, Brenna S Hefley, Hannah A Strobel, Sarah M Moss, James B Hoying, Sarah E Nicholas, Shadi Moshayedi, Jayoung Kim, Dimitrios Karamichos
{"title":"Fabrication of a 3D Corneal Model Using Collagen Bioink and Human Corneal Stromal Cells.","authors":"Alexander J Choi, Brenna S Hefley, Hannah A Strobel, Sarah M Moss, James B Hoying, Sarah E Nicholas, Shadi Moshayedi, Jayoung Kim, Dimitrios Karamichos","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Corneal transplantation remains a critical treatment option for individuals with corneal disorders, but it faces challenges such as rejection, high associated medical costs, and donor scarcity. A promising alternative for corneal replacement involves fabricating artificial cornea from a patient's own cells. Our study aimed to leverage bioprinting to develop a corneal model using human corneal stromal cells embedded in a collagen-based bioink. We generated both cellular and acellular collagen I (COL I) constructs. Cellular constructs were cultured for up to 4 weeks, and gene expression analysis was performed to assess extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and fibrotic markers. Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of COL I, collagen III (COL III), vimentin (VIM), and vinculin (VCL), indicating a dynamic remodeling process towards a more physiologically relevant corneal ECM. Overall, our study provides a foundational framework for developing customizable, corneal replacements using bioprinting technology. Further research is necessary to optimize the bioink composition and evaluate the functional and biomechanical properties of these bioengineered corneas.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12028034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143995650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kota Takagi, Koichi Nakamura, Yoshitaka Yoshimura, Yasutaka Yawaka
{"title":"Promoting Dentin Bridge Formation Through N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Application in Rat Molar Pulpotomy: An Experimental Study.","authors":"Kota Takagi, Koichi Nakamura, Yoshitaka Yoshimura, Yasutaka Yawaka","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pulpotomy is performed when tooth decay reaches the dental pulp or when the crown is fractured due to trauma. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is commonly used in pulpotomy, but its prognosis can be variable. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant amino acid, has garnered attention due to its potential benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MTA and NAC on pulpotomy outcomes. We used Sprague Dawley rat maxillary molars to perform pulpotomy and employed Superbond C&B, MTA, and MTA mixed with NAC (MTA-NAC) for pulp capping. We obtained tissue sections 3 and 7 days postpulpotomy, conducting histological analysis by examining the morphology of pulp tissue and assessing dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and osteopontin expression levels. At 3 days postpulpotomy, MTA and MTA-NAC reduced the inflammatory response. At 7 days postpulpotomy, dentin bridge formation was observed following MTA-NAC application, and although MTA resulted in DSPP- and osteopontin-positive areas, these areas were more extensive following MTA-NAC application. Given that adding NAC to MTA enhanced dentin bridge formation, MTA-NAC appears to be a superior option for pulp capping.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027821/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of Pontic Length on the Structural Integrity of Zirconia Fixed Partial Dentures (FPDs).","authors":"Tareq Hajaj, Ioana Elena Lile, Ioana Veja, Florina Titihazan, Mihai Rominu, Meda Lavinia Negruțiu, Cosmin Sinescu, Andreea Codruta Novac, Serban Talpos Niculescu, Cristian Zaharia","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the influence of pontic length and design on the fracture resistance of zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). By assessing different span lengths under controlled mechanical loading conditions, the research seeks to provide insights into optimizing the structural integrity of zirconia dental bridges.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 20 zirconia bridges were fabricated and tested in vitro. Ten bridges were designed to replace a single missing molar (tooth 46), with a pontic span of 11 mm, while the remaining ten were crafted for two missing teeth (35 and 36), featuring a longer pontic span of 17 mm. The zirconia frameworks were milled using the Wieland Zenotec<sup>®</sup> Select Hybrid system and cemented onto metal abutments with Voco Meron Plus QM resin-reinforced glass ionomer cement. The specimens were subjected to occlusal loading using a ZwickRoell ProLine Z005 testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until fracture occurred.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mechanical testing revealed a significant correlation between pontic length and fracture resistance. The mean fracture resistance for three-unit bridges (single pontic) was 3703 N, whereas four-unit bridges (double pontic) exhibited a significantly lower resistance of 1713 N. These findings indicate that increased span length reduces the fracture resistance of zirconia restorations due to higher stress accumulation and reduced rigidity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the importance of pontic length and design in determining the fracture resistance of zirconia restorations. Shorter spans exhibit greater structural stability, reinforcing the need for careful treatment planning when designing multi-unit zirconia bridges. By optimizing bridge parameters, clinicians can improve clinical outcomes and extend the longevity of zirconia prostheses in restorative dentistry.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144006792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intramuscular Reactivity of the Modified Graphene Oxides and Their Bio-Reactivity in Aging Muscle.","authors":"Xiaoting Jian, Jiayin Wang, Jijie Hu, Yangyang Li, Qisen Wang, Han Wang, Jingwen Huang, Yu Ke, Hua Liao","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040115","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To enhance the biocompatibility and drug delivery efficiency of graphene oxide (GO), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), or its triblock copolymer PEG-PHBV-PEG (PPP) were used to chemically modify GO. However, it is still unknown whether non-toxic polymer-modified GO mediates muscle toxicity or triggers intramuscular inflammation. This study aims to investigate the biological reactivity and inflammation/immune response induced by PEG, PHBV, or PPP modified GO when injected into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of mice prior to drug loading. The results showed that after muscle exposure, the coating of biocompatible polymers on GO is more likely to provoke muscle necrosis. Muscle regeneration was found to occur earlier and more effectively in muscle treated with hydrophilic PEG-GO and PPP-GO compared to muscle treated with hydrophobic PHBV-GO. When observing the transient muscle macrophage invasion of three modified GOs, PHBV-GO caused severe muscle necrosis in the early stage, induced a delayed peak of macrophage aggregation, and caused severe inflammatory progression. All three kinds of modified GO induced T cell aggregation to varying degrees, but PEG-GO induced early mass muscle recruitment of CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells and was more sensitive to cytotoxic T cells. Based on the higher biocompatibility of PPP-GO in muscles, PPP-GO was implanted into the muscles of old or adult mice. Compared to adult mice, aged mice are more vulnerable to the stress from PPP-GO, as demonstrated by a delayed inflammatory response and muscle regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027639/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144013524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Piezoelectric Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy: Current Research and Future Perspectives on Glioblastoma.","authors":"Zayne Knight, Amalia Ruiz, Jacobo Elies","doi":"10.3390/jfb16040114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer significantly impacts human quality of life and life expectancy, with an estimated 20 million new cases and 10 million cancer-related deaths worldwide every year. Standard treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical removal, for aggressive cancers, such as glioblastoma, are often ineffective in late stages. Glioblastoma, for example, is known for its poor prognosis post-diagnosis, with a median survival time of approximately 15 months. Novel therapies using local electric fields have shown anti-tumour effects in glioblastoma by disrupting mitotic spindle assembly and inhibiting cell growth. However, constant application poses risks like patient burns. Wireless stimulation via piezoelectric nanomaterials offers a safer alternative, requiring ultrasound activation to induce therapeutic effects, such as altering voltage-gated ion channel conductance by depolarising membrane potentials. This review highlights the piezoelectric mechanism, drug delivery, ion channel activation, and current technologies in cancer therapy, emphasising the need for further research to address limitations like biocompatibility in whole systems. The goal is to underscore these areas to inspire new avenues of research and overcome barriers to developing piezoelectric nanoparticle-based cancer therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12027790/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brittany J Carnathan, Dinny Stevens, Swarna Shikha, Carson Slater, Nathen Byford, Rodney X Sturdivant, Kuzy Zarzosa, W Evan Braswell, Christie M Sayes
{"title":"Assessing the Effects of Surface-Stabilized Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles on Diverse Bacteria Species Using Complementary Statistical Models.","authors":"Brittany J Carnathan, Dinny Stevens, Swarna Shikha, Carson Slater, Nathen Byford, Rodney X Sturdivant, Kuzy Zarzosa, W Evan Braswell, Christie M Sayes","doi":"10.3390/jfb16030113","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfb16030113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanoparticles are proposed as alternatives to traditional antimicrobial agents. By manipulating a nanoparticle's core and surface coating, antimicrobial effects against various microbial populations can be customized, known as the \"designer effect\". However, the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticle core-coating combinations are understudied; little research exists on their effects on diverse bacteria. The antimicrobial effects of surface-stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) are particularly interesting due to their stability in water and ferromagnetic properties. This study explores the impact of FeNPs coated with three surface coatings on six diverse bacterial species. The FeNPs were synthesized and capped with L-ascorbic acid (AA), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using a bottom-up approach. Zone of inhibition (ZOI) values, assessed through the disc diffusion assay, indicated that AA-FeNPs and CTAB-FeNPs displayed the most potent antibacterial activity. Bacteria inhibition results ranked from most sensitive to least sensitive are the following: <i>Bacillus nealsonii</i> > <i>Escherichia coli</i> > <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> > <i>Delftia acidovorans</i> > <i>Chryseobacterium</i> sp. > <i>Sphingobacterium multivorum</i>. Comparisons using ordinal regression and generalized linear mixed models revealed significant differences in bacterial responses to the different coatings and nanoparticle concentrations. The statistical model results are in agreement, thus increasing confidence in these conclusions. This study supports the feasibility of the \"designer nanoparticle\" concept and offers a framework for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11943110/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vlad Gabriel Vasilescu, Toma Lucian Ciocan, Andreea Mihaela Custura, Florin Miculescu, Miruna Stan, Ionela Cristina Voinea, Dumitru Dima, Florentina Ionela Bucur, Andreea Veronica Dediu-Botezatu, Marian Iulian Neacșu, Elisabeta Vasilescu, Marina Imre
{"title":"Biocompatible and Antibacterial Chemical Coatings on TiZr Dental Implants.","authors":"Vlad Gabriel Vasilescu, Toma Lucian Ciocan, Andreea Mihaela Custura, Florin Miculescu, Miruna Stan, Ionela Cristina Voinea, Dumitru Dima, Florentina Ionela Bucur, Andreea Veronica Dediu-Botezatu, Marian Iulian Neacșu, Elisabeta Vasilescu, Marina Imre","doi":"10.3390/jfb16030112","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfb16030112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research aims to study the antibacterial coatings of invasive surgical medical devices, including dental implants, to reduce superficial and deep local infections over the long term. To obtain the coating without altering the initial properties of the substrate (dental implant made of TiZr bioalloy), simple, cost-effective, and efficient methods were employed, such as chemical deposition of silver (Ag). The deposition characteristics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX analysis, and FT-IR infrared analysis. The in vitro testing of antimicrobial activity was conducted using the diffusion method by cultivating the bacterial strains Escherichia coli (<i>E. coli</i>) ATCC25922 and Staphylococcus aureus (<i>S. aureus</i>) ATCC25923 and measuring the diameter of the bacterial inhibition zone. Investigations and biocompatibility evaluations were performed on both uncoated and silver-coated (Ag) samples by analyzing cell viability and morphology in the presence of human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB cell line) and human gingival fibroblasts (HFIB-G cells) after 8 days of incubation. The research results confirm the biocompatibility of the coating, demonstrated by the lack of significant differences in cell density between the Ag-coated samples and the control group, as well as by the fact that the silver-coated surface effectively supports actin cytoskeleton organization, adhesion, and migration of both human osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts. The results regarding the antibacterial efficiency of the silver implant coating indicated that the <i>E. coli</i> bacterial strain is more resistant than <i>S. aureus</i>. The resistance difference between the two bacterial strains was attributed to differences in the structure of their cell envelopes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11943087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roxana-Ionela Vasluianu, Ana Maria Dima, Livia Bobu, Alice Murariu, Ovidiu Stamatin, Elena-Raluca Baciu, Elena-Odette Luca
{"title":"Dentistry Insights: Single-Walled and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Carbon Dots, and the Rise of Hybrid Materials.","authors":"Roxana-Ionela Vasluianu, Ana Maria Dima, Livia Bobu, Alice Murariu, Ovidiu Stamatin, Elena-Raluca Baciu, Elena-Odette Luca","doi":"10.3390/jfb16030110","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfb16030110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We are committed to writing this narrative review given that carbon-based nanomaterials are revolutionizing dental medicine. Since the groundbreaking discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, their dental applications have skyrocketed. The numbers speak for themselves: in 2024, the global carbon nanotubes market hit USD 1.3 billion and is set to double to USD 2.6 billion by 2029. Over the past few decades, various forms of carbon nanomaterials have been integrated into dental practices, elevating the quality and effectiveness of dental treatments. They represent a transformative advancement in dentistry, offering numerous benefits such as augmented mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity, and potential for regenerative applications. Both carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon dots (CDs) are derived from carbon and integral to nanotechnology, showcasing the versatility of carbon nanostructures and delivering cutting-edge solutions across diverse domains, such as electronics, materials science, and biomedicine. CNTs are ambitiously examined for their capability to reinforce dental materials, develop biosensors for detecting oral diseases, and even deliver therapeutic agents directly to affected tissues. This review synthesizes their current applications, underscores their interdisciplinary value in bridging nanotechnology and dentistry, identifies key barriers to clinical adoption, and discusses hybrid strategies warranting further research to advance implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942805/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}