A multifunctional thermosensitive hydrogel based on phototherapy for promoting the healing of dental extraction wounds

Abstract

Post-extraction wound infections are a common complication of dental extractions. More specifically, infection in the alveolar socket after tooth extraction accelerates the resorption and destruction of the alveolar bone, and ultimately affects the final restoration results. Currently, the main clinical treatment approaches applied to the socket after tooth extraction include mechanical wound debridement, chemical rinses (e.g., chlorhexidine), filling of the extraction socket with absorbent gelatin sponges, and the systemic application of antibiotics. However, these traditional treatment modalities have some limitations and their therapeutic effects are unsatisfactory. In this study, a phototherapeutic temperature-sensitive hydrogel material was constructed for injection using a tea polyphenol (TP)-modified poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) hydrogel skeleton loaded with the photosensitiser indocyanine green (ICG). The resulting PNIPAM-TP/ICG system exhibited an excellent injectability and temperature-sensitive properties. In addition, it stopped haemorrhaging and acted as a wound astringent. The hydrogel steadily released ICG into the oral environment to exert photothermal/photodynamic effects along with synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when combined with tea polyphenols. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the application of PNIPAM-TP/ICG to infected dental extraction wounds in rats rapidly stopped the bleeding and accelerated wound healing. Overall, this study describes a drug-loaded, temperature-sensitive hydrogel for the treatment of open wound infections, and shows promise as a reference for the treatment of tooth extraction wounds.