Nanozymes Empower Periodontitis Treatment: New Strategies and Clinical Application Prospects

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by the immune system. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of multiple factors, among which the accumulation of dental plaque is considered the initial key factor in the onset of the disease. As the pathogenic bacteria in plaque proliferate and metabolites are released, the host's immune system produces a strong response, leading to an inflammatory response and structural destruction of local tissues. Traditional treatment relies on mechanical scraping and antibiotics but suffers from tissue damage, difficulty in removing deep-seated bacteria, development of drug resistance, and insufficient modulation of complex pathomechanisms. Nanozymes, as a novel therapeutic tool with high efficiency, stability, and multifunctionality, can remove pathogenic bacteria, modulate inflammation, and promote tissue repair, as well as have better environmental stability and biocompatibility, which provides a new way for precise treatment of periodontal disease and tissue regeneration. In this paper, the pathophysiology of periodontitis was first elucidated, and the design strategy of nanozymes and their application classification for the treatment of periodontitis were also discussed. Then, the recent advances in treating periodontitis with nanozymes are summarized in terms of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regeneration. Finally, the problems and prospects for the development of nanozymes for the treatment of periodontitis are discussed in terms of current challenges in the treatment of periodontitis and the stimulation of innovative research on nanozymes drugs, with a view to the clinical translation of novel enzyme mimicry strategies and efficient nanozymes for periodontitis drugs.