Chitosan and It's Applications in Dentistry

In recent years, the concept of biomaterials has been widely promoted, resulting in significant advances in the design and application of safe and functional materials. Biomaterials are natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic substances that are intended to be implanted into biological ecosystems. Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible natural polysaccharide, that has a wide range of applications in the field of dentistry due to its functional versatility and ease of access. Chitosan and its derivatives can be embedded in materials for dental adhesives, barrier membranes, bone replacement, tissue regeneration, and antimicrobial agents for the treatment of oral diseases and can be transformed using chemical or enzymatic techniques to produce a variety of derivatives and forms such as gels, micro/nanoparticles, fibers, sponges, and films, depending on the field of use. Chitosan can thus be a possible source for the synthesis of various dental materials due to its typical composition and unique features.