Injectable ABA Triblock Copolyether Hydrogel for Dental Implant-Mediated Drug Delivery

Herein, we present a novel implant-mediated drug delivery platform that integrates dexamethasone (DEX)-loaded injectable hydrogels with 3D-printed titanium implants. A hydrophobic monomer, (cyclohexyloxy)ethyl glycidyl ether, was designed and polymerized into ABA-type triblock copolymers via anionic ring-opening polymerization initiated by a poly(ethylene oxide) midblock. Tailoring the A block length optimized the viscoelasticity of the hydrogels, enabling shear-thinning flow for injectability and providing suitable stress relaxation for postdeformation recovery. Incorporation into customized 3D-printed titanium implants allowed controlled DEX release through engineered cavities and hole geometries. In vitro assays confirmed cytocompatibility across multiple cell types, while DEX release effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 secretion in macrophages. In vivo evaluation in a rabbit mandibular model further validated surgical feasibility, mechanical integrity, and sustained drug release. Collectively, these findings underscore the translational potential of combining injectable hydrogels with patient-specific 3D-printed implants for localized, sustained anti-inflammatory therapy.