Design and application of antimicrobial nanomaterials in the treatment of periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease induced by the microbiome, leading to the destruction of periodontal structures and potentially resulting in tooth loss. Using local drug delivery systems as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planning in periodontitis is a promising strategy. However, this administration method’s effectiveness is constrained by the complexity of the periodontal environment. Nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in the antibacterial treatment of periodontitis, attributed to their controllable size, shape, and surface charge, high design flexibility, high reactivity, and high specific surface area. In this review, we summarize the complex periodontal microenvironment and the difficulties of local drug delivery in periodontitis, explicitly reviewing the application and design strategies of nanomaterials with unique properties in the distinct microenvironment of periodontitis. Furthermore, the review discusses the limitations of current research, proposes feasible solutions, and explores prospects for using nanomaterials in this context.