Hyaluronic Acid: A Review of Clinical Applications in Human and Veterinary Dentistry.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been extensively studied and utilized in human and veterinary medicine due to its versatile biological functions, including tissue hydration, anti-inflammatory effects, wound healing, regenerative effects, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antimicrobial properties. Historically, HA was first isolated in 1934 and has since been reviewed and applied across species in numerous clinical and nonclinical settings. In animal studies, canine models have demonstrated the efficacy of HA as an adjunct to periodontal interventions, particularly in improving bone and soft tissue regeneration in controlled experimental settings. Similarly, human studies have shown statistically significant improvements in periodontal outcomes such as probing depth, clinical attachment levels, and decreased periodontal inflammation when HA is used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing or surgical procedures. This review summarizes the current evidence on HA's structure, biological function, and applications in periodontal disease, with a focus on its potential to address unmet needs in veterinary dentistry. Given its demonstrated benign safety profile and proven efficacy in humans, HA holds promise as a valuable therapeutic option for managing periodontal disease in companion animals.