2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (34): 7393-7404

Application of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer in stomatology

Wu Ziwei, Luo Yicai, Wei Yinge, Liao Hongbing   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer with good biosafety, biodegradability, and superior mechanical properties has become a focal point of research in stomatology.
OBJECTIVE: To review the advance in stomatology of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer.
METHODS: Using a computer-assisted search of relevant literature published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases, the search terms included “polylactic acid-hydroxyacetic acid, PLGA, oral defect, tissue engineering” in Chinese, and “PLGA, polylactic acid-hydroxyacetic acid copolymer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer, dent*, regeneration, caries, periodontal, pulp, implant, alveolar bone” in English. Preliminary screening was conducted by reading titles and abstracts, excluding literature unrelated to the theme of the article. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 119 articles were included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the field of stomatology, the application scope of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer is rapidly expanding, gradually replacing the traditional therapeutic drugs and restorative materials. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer nanoparticles/microspheres can carry a variety of hydrophobic and hydrophilic active substances, demonstrating excellent delivery capabilities in caries prevention, root canal disinfection, and pulp capping treatment. In periodontal therapy, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer is widely used as a barrier membrane and drug carrier for periodontal tissue regeneration. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer used for surface modification of implants not only enhances the antibacterial ability of the implant surface but also improves the bio-inert nature of the implant surface. The effect of pure poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer scaffolds on treating bone defects is limited and requires the integration of 3D printing, various bioactive components, and inorganic materials to enhance scaffold performance. The combination of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer and stem cells can improve the effectiveness of nerve therapy, meeting clinical needs. Based on the great potential of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer in the field of stomatology, it is expected that in the future, repair materials with specific functions for different diseases will be produced according to different needs of oral tissue engineering.

Key words: poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer, oral medicine, drug delivery, bone defect, tissue engineering, engineered oral materials