Hierarchical porous 3D nanofibrous scaffold for effective tooth-extraction wound healing

• A hierarchical porous 3D multicomponent nanofibrous scaffold (MNS) of PGLA/HA/ZnO was developed by electrospinning and freeze-drying techniques. • MNS was characterized by exceptional hydrophilicity, robust mechanical properties and a slower biodegradation rate synchronized with the process of alveolar bone formation. • MNS owned outstanding antibacterial properties against key periodontal pathogens by disrupting bacterial cell morphology and effectively removing biofilms. • MNS demonstrated significant enhancement of tooth-extraction wound healing in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Effective management of alveolar bone absorption is crucial for tooth extraction, especially for subsequent dental restoration and its long-term success. However, current filling materials, such as collagen sponges (CS), degrade rapidly and fail to support alveolar bone adequately, nor do they effectively eliminate infectious pathogens, creating a significant burden on public healthcare. To address these clinical shortcomings, we developed a hierarchical porous three-dimensional (3D) multicomponent nanofibrous scaffold (MNS), which used electrospinning and freeze-drying techniques, incorporating poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (PGLA) short nanofibers as its structural foundation, with hydroxyapatite (HA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles embedded within, characterized by exceptional hydrophilicity, robust mechanical properties and a slower biodegradation rate synchronized with the process of alveolar bone formation. Additionally, MNS significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). It also demonstrates outstanding antibacterial properties against key periodontal pathogens by disrupting bacterial cell morphology and effectively removing biofilms. In a rat tooth extraction model, MNS facilitated new bone formation that was 26.87% greater than that observed in the natural healing group, and it significantly increased alveolar bone height while accelerating soft tissue healing. In conclusion this study highlights the promising potential of the hierarchical porous 3D MNS for tooth-extraction wound healing.