Abstract:
Conventional therapies practiced for the treatment of dental infections are limited and
invasive. Thus, in recent years, injectable hydrogel systems have emerged as a promising
approach for tissue repair and localized drug delivery. These systems offer advantages such
as ease of administration, minimal invasiveness, faster recovery, and long-term efficacy.
That is why, in this study, we synthesized a novel thermoresponsive, injectable hydrogel
using biocompatible and biodegradable components, namely chitosan and alginate, in
combination with the bioactive glass that will be used to promote bone regeneration along
with the antibacterial properties. Various concentrations of the primary polymers and
selenium-substituted bioactive glasses were investigated, and the hydrogels were
characterized using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle measurements. Gelation behavior and setting time
of the hydrogels were analyzed both with and without the presence of bioactive glass by
employing tube inversion method and a setting time of 13 minutes was achieved for the
prepared hydrogel system. Their injectability was assessed using syringe needles of
different gauges like 17G, 18G, 19G and was found to be in accordance with their
applicability as minimally invasive procedures. Furthermore, antibacterial studies were
conducted against S. mutans, revealing significant antibacterial activity of the drug loaded
hydrogels containing selenium-substituted bioactive glass with the maximum inhibition
shown by the hydrogels with highest percentage of selenium.
