Recent advances and clinical potential of hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA)/ceramic composites in oral and dental regenerative therapies: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA) has emerged as a promising biomaterial for oral and dental applications due to its inherent biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, and tunable mechanical properties. The incorporation of ceramic components (e.g., hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioactive glass) into HAMA-based composites synergistically enhances their mechanical robustness, bioactivity, and osteogenic capacity, thereby expanding their utility in dental tissue engineering, periodontal regeneration, and implant surface functionalization. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the design, fabrication, and application of HAMA/ceramic composites. Our analysis of the literature reveals that these composites demonstrate significant promise: they enhance compressive modulus, support high cell viability in 3D-bioprinted constructs, and achieve sustained release of antimicrobials and ions to concurrently combat infection and promote osteogenesis. Key findings indicate their efficacy in guided bone regeneration, periodontal defect repair, where they reduce inflammatory markers and inhibit periodontal pathogens, and as bioactive implant coatings that improve osseointegration. Despite these advancements, significant challenges persist in scalability, long-term structural stability, and clinical translation. By integrating insights from materials science, cellular biology, and clinical dentistry, this review concludes that HAMA/ceramic composites represent a paradigm-shifting platform for next-generation dental therapies. Their unique combination of properties positions them to overcome the limitations of conventional biomaterials, though future efforts must focus on standardizing fabrication protocols and validating their efficacy in controlled human trials.