Abstract
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes are used for treating chronic periodontal lesions with the aim of regenerating lost periodontal attachment. Spatially designed functionally graded bioactive membranes with surface core layers have been proposed as the next generation of GTR membranes. Composite formulations of biopolymer and bioceramic have the potential to meet these criteria. Chitosan has emerged as a well-known biopolymer for use in tissue engineering applications due to its properties of degradation, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial nature. Hydroxyapatite is an essential component of the mineral phase of bone. This study developed a GTR membrane with an ideal chitosan to hydroxyapatite ratio with adequate molecular weight. Membranes were fabricated using solvent casting with low and medium molecular weights of chitosan. They were rigorously characterised with scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with photoacoustic sampling accessory (FTIR-PAS), swelling ratio, degradation profile, mechanical tensile testing and cytotoxicity using human osteosarcoma and mesenchymal progenitor cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed two different features with 70% HA at the bottom surface packed tightly together, with high distinction of CH from HA. FTIR showed distinct chitosan dominance on top and hydroxyapatite on the bottom surface. Membranes with medium molecular weight showed higher swelling and longer degradation profile as compared to low molecular weight. Cytotoxicity results indicated that the low molecular weight membrane with 30% chitosan and 70% hydroxyapatite showed higher viability with time. Results suggest that this highly segregated bilayer membrane shows promising potential to be adapted as a surface layer whilst constructing a functionally graded GTR membrane on its own and for other biomedical applications.
Highlights
Chronic periodontitis is a chronic-remitting inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues displaying episodes of inflammation and immune suppression resulting in periodontal destruction and tooth loss [1]
At 70% HA, the bottom surface revealed HA particles packed tightly together, and high distinction of CH from HA was observed as the air interface showed very few HA particles
Amongst the other ideal properties of Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes, one of the most pivotal function of it is to act as an occlusive barrier [20]
Summary
Chronic periodontitis is a chronic-remitting inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues displaying episodes of inflammation and immune suppression resulting in periodontal destruction and tooth loss [1]. During the past three decades, numerous treatment approaches involving surgical and non-surgical techniques and regenerative procedures have been used [2,3] Whilst these techniques lead to improvements in the clinical condition, healing largely occurs by repair, with the formation of a long junctional epithelium, fibrosis, bone remodelling and very limited regeneration of periodontal attachment [2,4]. The use of GTR membranes can result in successful regeneration of periodontium, there are certain limitations in using these techniques and the clinical outcomes are still unpredictable. This unpredictability could be due to non-uniform degradation profiles and limited bioactivity. It is important to improve these biomaterial concepts to achieve predictable clinical outcomes
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