Alloplasts are synthetic, inorganic, biocompatible bone substitutes that function as defect fillers to repair skeletal defects. The acceptance of these substitutes by host tissues is determined by the pore diameter and the porosity and inter-connectivity. This narrative review appraises recent developments, characterization, and biological performance of different synthetic materials for bone, periodontal, and dental tissue regeneration. They include calcium phosphate cements and their variants β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramics and biphasic calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-TCP ceramics), calcium sulfate, bioactive glasses and polymer-based bone substitutes which include variants of polycaprolactone. In summary, the search for synthetic bone substitutes remains elusive with calcium compounds providing the best synthetic substitute. The combination of calcium sulphate and β-TCP provides improved handling of the materials, dispensing with the need for a traditional membrane in guided bone regeneration. Evidence is supportive of improved angiogenesis at the recipient sites. One such product, (EthOss^® Regeneration, Silesden, UK) has won numerous awards internationally as a commercial success. Bioglasses and polymers, which have been used as medical devices, are still in the experimental stage for dental application. Polycaprolactone-TCP, one of the products in this category is currently undergoing further randomized clinical trials as a 3D socket preservation filler. These aforementioned products may have vast potential for substituting human/animal-based bone grafts.

Oral mucosa serves as the primary barrier against pathogen invasions, mechanical stresses, and physical trauma. Although it is generally composed of keratinocytes and held in place by desmosomes, it shows variation in tissue elasticity and surface keratinization at different sites of the oral cavity. Wound healing undergoes four stages of tissue change sequences, namely haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. The wound healing of oral hard tissue and soft tissue is largely dependent on the inflammatory response and vascular response, which are the targets of many research. Because of a less-robust inflammatory response, favourable saliva properties, a unique oral environment, and the presence of mesenchymal stem cells, oral wounds are reported to demonstrate rapid healing, less scar formation, and fewer inflammatory reactions. However, delayed oral wound healing is a major concern in certain populations with autoimmune disorders or underlying medical issues, or those subjected to surgically inflicted injuries. Various means of approach have been adopted to improve wound tissue proliferation without causing excessive scarring. This narrative review reappraises the current literature on the use of light, sound, mechanical, biological, and chemical means to enhance oxygen delivery to wounds. The current literature includes the use of hyperbaric oxygen and topical oxygen therapy, ultrasounds, lasers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)/platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and various chemical agents such as hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, and Centella asiatica to promote angiogenesis in oral wound healing during the proliferation process. The arrival of a proprietary oral gel that is reported to improve oxygenation is highlighted.

To assess dimensional changes and histologic/histomorphometric aspects of grafted sockets using either calcium sulfate-platelet-rich plasma (CS-PRP) or CS alone in socket preservation procedure. Twelve subjects with single nonmolar teeth underwent atraumatic extraction. Six sockets received CS grafts and 6 sockets received CS-PRP grafts. Cone-beam computerized tomography scans taken immediately after extraction and 4 months after surgery were used to measure vertical and horizontal dimensional changes. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses of grafted sites were performed at 4 months after surgery. Intergroup changes were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. CS group demonstrated 18.6% horizontal resorption as compared with 9.2% in CS-PRP group. Resorption for buccal height (BH) (14%) and palatal/lingual height (PH) (13.7%) in CS group was nearly 3 times more than resorption in BH (5%) and PH (4.6%) for CS-PRP group. Mineralized bone component in CS-PRP group (11.19% ± 6.59%) was significantly more than CS group (1.51% ± 2.86%) (P = 0.01). CS-PRP–grafted sites demonstrated higher mineralized bone content than CS-grafted sites.