Cellulose Acetate/Hydroxyapatite-Dexamethasone Loaded Membranes for the Prevention of Implant-Associated Acute Inflammation

Implant-associated acute inflammation remains a major challenge in orthopedic, dental, and maxillofacial applications, often impairing osseointegration and leading to early implant failure. In this study, multifunctional cellulose acetate/hydroxyapatite–dexamethasone (CA/HA–DEXA) composite membranes were developed to locally modulate inflammation while supporting early bone–implant interactions. Cellulose acetate provides a flexible matrix, hydroxyapatite enhances bioactivity and osteoconductivity, and dexamethasone acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The membranes exhibited composition-dependent swelling and drug release behavior. The swelling degree decreased from ~11% for pristine CA to ~5% for the highest HA–DEXA loading, indicating a denser structure with restricted water uptake. Dexamethasone release showed a biphasic profile, with cumulative release reaching ~68%, ~88%, and ~93% for 0.5%, 1%, and 2% HA–DEXA loadings after 72 h, respectively. In vitro evaluation indicated improved biomineralization for CA/HA–DEXA membranes compared to neat CA, attributed to the role of hydroxyapatite as a nucleation promoter. These findings suggest that CA/HA–DEXA composite membranes represent a promising strategy for controlling early inflammatory responses while supporting bone regeneration at the implant interface.