Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties of Photo-Thermal Hydrogel as Dual Functional Platform for Management of Periodontitis

Background: Periodontitis, one of the most common oral diseases caused by bacterial infection which affects gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Current clinical treatments, such as scaling or antibiotics, often result in incomplete biofilm removal or can contribute to drug resistance. Methods: To address these limitations, a nanozyme comprising platinum, copper, and selenium was developed, which was then incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel. Results: When applied to periodontal pockets and exposed to 808 nm laser irradiation, the hydrogel became soft, dissolving to release the nanozyme. This nanozyme demonstrated superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and catalase (CAT)-like activity, reducing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) while displaying strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: This photothermal nanozyme hydrogel showed excellent biocompatibility and has the potential to overcome the challenges of current periodontitis treatments.