Welcome to Francis Academic Press

International Journal of Frontiers in Medicine, 2026, 8(1); doi: 10.25236/IJFM.2026.080108.

Research Progress of Inorganic Nanomaterials in the Treatment of Periodontitis

Author(s)

Shuo Li1, Fangyuan Wang1

Corresponding Author:
Fangyuan Wang
Affiliation(s)

1School of Stomatology & Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, 563099, China

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal tissues. Conventional oral pharmacotherapy has limitations, including gastrointestinal adverse reactions, allergic responses, low local drug concentration in periodontal pockets, and the risk of inducing drug-resistant bacteria. In recent years, nanomaterials have provided novel strategies for periodontitis treatment owing to their unique physicochemical properties and high loading capacity. This review summarizes recent research progress on inorganic nanomaterials for periodontitis treatment. By analyzing the physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and in vitro and in vivo performance of various inorganic nanomaterials, this article highlights their substantial potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy and promote bone tissue regeneration. Concurrently, this review identifies current challenges, including concerns regarding biosafety and complex fabrication processes, and discusses future research directions, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and novel insights for precision periodontitis therapy.

Keywords

Periodontitis, Nanostructures, Antimicrobial, Clinical translation

Cite This Paper

Shuo Li, Fangyuan Wang. Research Progress of Inorganic Nanomaterials in the Treatment of Periodontitis. International Journal of Frontiers in Medicine (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 1: 67-72. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFM.2026.080108.

References

[1] Yu Y M, Wu Y Y, Wu Y X, Situational analysis of periodontal disease burden for adults in China from 1990 to 2019 and its incidence trend prediction[J]. Chinese Journal of Stomatology, 2023, 58(12): 1265 (in Chinese).

[2] Villoria G E M, Fischer R G, Tinoco E M B, et al. Periodontal disease: a systemic condition[J]. Periodontology 2000, 2024, 96(01): 7-19.

[3] Wang H, Wang Y, Yi J, et al. Hydrogel loaded with mesalazine for local injected treatment of periodontitis with superior anti-inflammatory, mucosal healing and bone repair performance[J]. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2025, 255: 114881.

[4] Slots J, Rams T E. Antibiotics in periodontal therapy: advantages and disadvantages[J]. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 1990, 17(s1): 479.

[5] Afzal O, Altamimi A S A, Nadeem M S, et al. Nanoparticles in drug delivery: from history to therapeutic applications[J]. Nanomaterials, 2022, 12(24): 4494.

[6] Lee S J, Heo M, Lee D, et al. Preparation and characterization of antibacterial orthodontic resin containing silver nanoparticles[J]. Applied Surface Science, 2018, 432: 317.

[7] Nawaz M Z, Alghamdi H A, Zahoor M, et al. Synthesis of novel metal silica nanoparticles exhibiting antimicrobial potential and applications to combat periodontitis[J]. Environmental Research, 2024, 241: 117415.

[8] Li X W, Liang H, Huang Y H, et al. Near-infrared light-responsive copper-cerium bimetallic oxide nanozyme with antibacterial and antioxidant abilities for periodontitis therapy[J]. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2025, 252: 114685.

[9] Ming P Y, Li B J, Li Q M, et al. Multifunctional sericin-based biomineralized nanoplatforms with immunomodulatory and angio/osteo-genic activity for accelerated bone regeneration in periodontitis[J]. Biomaterials, 2025, 314: 122885.

[10] Hu Z H, Lv X L, Zhang H, et al. An injectable gel based on photo-cross-linkable hyaluronic acid and mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles for periodontitis treatment[J]. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 257: 128596.

[11] Boccaccini A R, Erol M, Stark W J, et al. Polymer/bioactive glass nanocomposites for biomedical applications: A review[J]. Composites Science and Technology, 2010, 70(13): 1764.

[12] Fang L X, Zhou H X, Cheng L, et al. The application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle in oral disease treatment[J]. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2023, 13: 1124411.

[13] Li M Y, Sun J, Zhao D, et al. Inhibitory impact of a mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based drug delivery system on Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced bone resorption[J]. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 2024, 35(01): 56.

[14] Jiang Y Y, Yin C Q, Mo J N, et al. Recent progress in carbon dots for anti-pathogen applications in oral cavity[J]. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2023, 13: 1251309.

[15] Xin X R, Liu J J, Liu X C, et al. Melatonin-derived carbon dots with free radical scavenging property for effective periodontitis treatment via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway[J]. ACS Nano, 2024, 18(11): 8307-8324.

[16] Jiang X G, Chen X Y, Li Q M, et al. Synergistic effects of polydopamine-coated reduced graphene oxide on osteogenesis and anti-inflammation in periodontitis[J]. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 2025, 36(01): 51.

[17] Li P, Xu T, Dang X, et al. Improving astaxanthin-loaded chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/gra-phene oxide nanofiber membranes and their application in periodontitis[J]. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 258: 128980.

[18] Bapat R A, Bedia S V, Bedia A S, et al. Reinforcing restorative dentistry: the dual role of carbon nanotubes in material enhancement and therapy[J]. International Journal of Dentistry, 2025, 2025(01): 5535891.

[19] Suo L, Wu H S, Wang P Y, et al. The improvement of periodontal tissue regeneration using a 3D-printed carbon nanotube/chitosan/sodium alginate composite scaffold[J]. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part B, Applied Biomaterials, 2023, 111(01): 73-84.

[20] Nasiri K, Masoumi S M, Amini S, et al. Recent advances in metal nanoparticles to treat periodontitis[J]. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2023, 21(01): 283.

[21] Jamkhande P G, Ghule N W, Bamer A H, et al. Metal nanoparticles synthesis: an overview on methods of preparation, advantages and disadvantages, and applications[J]. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2019, 53: 101174.

[22] Shoushtari M S, Hoey D, Biak D R A, et al. Sol–gel‑templated bioactive glass scaffold: a review[J]. Research on Biomedical Engineering, 2024, 40(01): 281.

[23] Chen L, Zhao T J, Liu M, et al. Ultra-small molybdenum-based nanodots as an antioxidant platform for effective treatment of periodontal disease[J]. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2022, 10: 1042010.

[24] Hu S S, Wang L P, Li J, et al. Catechol-modified and MnO2-nanozyme-reinforced hydrogel with improved antioxidant and antibacterial capacity for periodontitis treatment[J]. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2023, 9(09): 5332.

[25] Yu Y J, Zhao S, Gu D A, et al. Cerium oxide nanozyme attenuates periodontal bone destruction by inhibiting the ROS–NFκ-B pathway[J]. Nanoscale, 2022, 14(07): 2628.

[26] Xu Y Y, Luo Y F, Weng Z Z, et al. Microenvironment-responsive metal-phenolic nanozyme release platform with antibacterial, ROS scavenging, and osteogenesis for periodontitis[J]. ACS Nano, 2023, 17(19): 18732.

[27] Gao Y R, Zhang W X, Xue R, et al. An ionic gel incorporating copper nanodots with antibacterial and antioxidant dual functions for deep tissue penetration treatment of periodontitis in rats[J]. Biomaterials Science, 2023, 11(10): 3547.

[28] Wang B Y, Gong H Y, Jiang Y, et al. Microneedle patches with antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties for periodontal regeneration[J]. Materials & Design, 2025, 255: 114168.

[29] Song C H, Zhang X X, Lu M H, et al. Bee sting-inspired inflammation-responsive microneedles for periodontal disease treatment[J]. Research, 2023, 6: 0119.

[30] Kunrath M F, Shah F A, Dahlin C. Bench-to-bedside: Feasibility of nano-engineered and drug-delivery biomaterials for bone-anchored implants and periodontal applications[J]. Materials Today Bio, 2023, 18: 100540.