Authors
Tuba Bedir, Oguzhan Gunduz, Cem Bulent Ustundag
Published in
Biomaterials advances. Volume 189. Pages 215096. Aug 04, 2026. Epub Aug 04, 2026.
Abstract
Oral and periodontal diseases are among the most prevalent chronic disorders worldwide and arise from complex interactions between microbial biofilms and dysregulated host immune responses. Despite significant advances in conventional therapies, clinical management remains challenging because of limited drug penetration, rapid clearance within the oral cavity, and poor patient compliance. In this context, microneedle (MN)-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising minimally invasive platforms for localized and controlled therapeutic delivery. However, the adaptation of MN technologies from transdermal to oral applications requires application-specific redesign owing to the unique anatomical, physiological, and mechanical characteristics of oral tissues. Current literature also remains fragmented, particularly regarding the integration of oral tissue biology, advanced manufacturing strategies, and multifunctional MN design. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of MN systems for oral and periodontal applications, with particular focus on the enabling role of additive manufacturing (AM). First, the biological characteristics of oral tissues and their implications for drug delivery are discussed, followed by an overview of MN technologies, biomaterials, and fabrication approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on oral application-specific design considerations, including mechanical constraints, penetration depth, bioadhesion, retention, and controlled drug release. Emerging therapeutic applications, ranging from antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapies to immunomodulatory and regenerative strategies, are also critically evaluated. Recent advances in 3D-printed MNs are highlighted, emphasizing their potential for customizable architectures, integrated drug delivery systems, and patient-specific therapeutic platforms. In parallel, major translational challenges, including mechanical reliability, retention under salivary conditions, regulatory complexity, and manufacturing scalability, are critically discussed. Future perspectives involving the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), smart biomaterials, biosensor technologies, and precision medicine approaches are also explored. Beyond summarizing recent advances, this review identifies the key scientific challenges, current knowledge gaps, and emerging engineering strategies required for the successful clinical translation of 3D-printed oral and periodontal MN systems. Overall, it provides a critical roadmap for the rational design and development of next-generation personalized MN platforms, highlighting the convergence of advanced biomaterials, biofabrication technologies, and precision medicine as a foundation for future oral healthcare.
PMID:
42566835
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Aug 2026.
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