Chitosan Sponges as Next-Generation Biomaterials for Dental Tissue Engineering and Periodontal Regeneration

Chitosan, a naturally derived polysaccharide obtained by chitin deacetylation, has attracted considerable attention in dentistry as a multifunctional biomaterial owing to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable physicochemical properties. This narrative review provides an up-to-date overview of the use of chitosan-based sponges in dental tissue engineering, bone regeneration, post-extraction wound management, and periodontal therapy. Chitosan sponges, characterized by high porosity, flexibility, and superior absorbency, serve as effective wound dressings, drug delivery carriers, and scaffolds that promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Their intrinsic antibacterial, antifungal, hemostatic, and immunomodulatory properties further enhance their therapeutic value in managing complex oral conditions. In periodontal treatment, they enable localized drug delivery and support soft and hard tissue healing, while in post-extraction care, they aid hemostasis and reduce complications such as alveolar osteitis. Moreover, their osteoconductive and osteoinductive potential positions them as promising materials for alveolar bone repair and implantology. Chemical modification of chitosan and the incorporation of bioactive compounds allow customization of sponge formulations to meet specific clinical needs. Despite encouraging preclinical findings, challenges remain due to variability in chitosan sources, differences in the degree of deacetylation, and limited clinical validation. This review highlights the potential of chitosan sponges as innovative tools in regenerative dentistry and underscores the need for further standardization, mechanistic studies, and long-term clinical trials to ensure their safe and effective translation into dental practice. Moreover, the broad clinical applications of chitosan sponges beyond dentistry confirm their potential as a universal biomaterial platform in regenerative medicine.