Tianyuan Zhao, Andrew M Edwards, Adam D Celiz, Julian R Jones
Oral diseases, such as periodontitis, remain a major global concern due to their high incidence and significant morbidity. The principal drivers are bacterial overgrowth and associated inflammation. Bioactive glass of the 45S5 Bioglass® composition (BG) is known for its remineralising, osteogenic and antibacterial effects via ion release, but its application has been limited in oral environments. In this study, a photocurable GelMA hydrogel was developed as a carrier matrix for BG (1-15% w/v) to obtain synergy between the adhesive properties of the GelMA and the bioactivity of the glass. Incorporation of 10% w/v BG improved ultimate tensile strength (97 kPa) compared to pure GelMA (58 kPa) and reduced swelling by 18%. The composites showed ~60% higher adhesive strength on collagen sheets than GelMA alone. Tensile bonding strengths reached 54 kPa on collagen sheets and 23 kPa on tooth sections. Lap-shear adhesive strengths were 44 kPa on collagen and 18 kPa on implant metal. In vitro studies confirmed the composite's biocompatibility with dental pulp stem cells and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, the GelMA/BG composite presents a multifunctional platform for dental remineralisation with promising mechanical, adhesive and antibacterial performance.