Advancing Periodontal Care: Development of a Novel Collagen-Chitosan-Bioglass Scaffold as a Substitute for Autologous Soft Tissue Grafts.

Introduction Modern dentistry prioritizes aesthetic outcomes, making root coverage for gingival recession a key focus. Various approaches, including autologous grafts, address this issue, yet no substitute matches the properties of autogenous connective tissue grafts. The innovative collagen-chitosan-bioglass scaffold presents a promising solution, surpassing the limitations of the traditional methods. This scaffold blends the advantages of collagen with chitosan's antibacterial and regenerative properties, enhanced by bioglass, which promotes tissue healing through angiogenesis. It was evaluated for its physicochemical characteristics, as well as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising solution for soft tissue management in dentistry. Materials and methods Chitosan, collagen, and bioglass were combined into a scaffold through the lyophilization process (freeze-drying). Chitosan was sourced from shrimp, collagen from bovine, and the bioglass 1% comprised 58% tetra-ethyl ortho silicate, 33% calcium silicate, and phosphorous pentoxide. After the scaffold was created, it was subjected to physicochemical characterization via scanning electron microscopic and infrared spectroscopic analysis. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl -1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and by measuring the scaffold's radical scavenging activity. Results This study employed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques to analyze the sample components and their morphology. The infrared (attenuated total reflection) analysis revealed various elements confirming the presence of all the biomaterials required to fabricate the scaffold. Scanning electron microscope imaging displayed a folded-like morphology with a porous structure. The protein denaturation inhibition increased from 25% at 50 μg of scaffold weight to 45% at 200 μg of scaffold weight. Similarly, the antioxidant activity increased, with values rising from 23% at 50μg to 35% at 200μg of scaffold weight. Conclusion The fabricated collagen-chitosan-bioglass scaffold demonstrates promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings suggest that this scaffold holds significant potential as a viable substitute for soft tissue augmentation.