With the advancement of biomedical research into antimicrobial treatments for various diseases, the source and delivery of antibiotics have attracted attention. In periodontal diseases, antibiotics are integral in positive treatment outcomes; however, the use of antibiotics is with caution as the potential for the emergence of resistant strains is of concern. Over the years, conventional routes of drug administration have been proven to be effective for the treatment of PD, yet the problem of antibiotic resistance to conventional therapies continues to remain a setback in future treatments. Hydrogels fabricated from natural and synthetic polymers have been extensively applied in biomedical sciences for the delivery of potent biological compounds. These polymeric materials either have intrinsic antibacterial properties or serve as good carriers for the delivery of antibacterial agents. The biocompatibility, low toxicity and biodegradability of some hydrogels have favoured their consideration as prospective carriers for antibacterial drug delivery in PD. This article reviews PD and its antibiotic treatment options, the role of bacteria in PD and the potential of hydrogels as antibacterial agents and for antibiotic drug delivery in PD. Finally, potential challenges and future directions of hydrogels for use in PD treatment and diagnosis are also highlighted.

The aim of this systemic review was to collate and analyze existing data from published literature sources to identify the current understanding of the role of epigenetic and biological biomarkers in periodontal disease and diagnostics. A comprehensive searching strategy was undertaken in Embase, Medline, The Dentistry and Oral Sciences and CINAHL databases. Grey literature searching strategies were also employed. Articles published in the English language between 2017–2020 were included. A total of 1014 studies were returned of which 15 studies were included. All included articles were cross-sectional, case–control studies. Relevant data were extracted according to various demographic and methodological factors including cohort size, oral biofluid sampled, number of examiners, smoking status and reported outcomes. A measure of the biomarker levels and corresponding significance were documented where possible. This review identified that exRNA has the greatest diagnostic potential, with four biomarkers (SPRR1A, lnc-TET3-2:1, FAM25A, CRCT1) displaying sensitivity of >71% and specificity of 100% in the assessed samples (p < 0.001) for gingivitis. This work also identifies the need for a unified approach to future research to draw meaningful comparison. Further investigations are warranted to definitively validate exRNA data and for the development of an exRNA-specific point-of-care diagnostic test.

Background/Objectives: Early diagnosis of periodontal disease is vital for preventing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. This study explored healthcare professionals’ perspectives on a novel minimally invasive biofluid sampling device intended for periodontal disease diagnosis. Methods: A co-design approach was used to engage end users during early device development. Two focus group discussions were conducted with dentists, followed by an online questionnaire completed by dentists and other oral healthcare professionals. The aim was to gather opinions, preferences, and suggestions regarding the proposed device’s design and clinical application. Results: The innovation was well received by survey respondents (n = 54) and participants of the focus group discussions, who also provided insightful comments on aspects including physical features, diagnostic value, usability, and integration with clinical workflow. Conclusions: The co-design process revealed that there is a need for the novel biofluid sampling device. Suggestions from the participants helped improve an early internal Target Product Profile and bring the device closer to clinical requirements and expectations.