Zhisong Mai,1 Yuying Mai,1 Xianxian Huang,1 Shipeng Ning,2 Hongbing Liao3 

1Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 2Research Center of Nanomedicine Technology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, People’s Republic of China; 3Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Hongbing Liao, Email hongbing_liao@gxmu.edu.cn

Background: Periodontitis, one of the most common oral diseases caused by bacterial infection which affects gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Current clinical treatments, such as scaling or antibiotics, often result in incomplete biofilm removal or can contribute to drug resistance.
Methods: To address these limitations, a nanozyme comprising platinum, copper, and selenium was developed, which was then incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel.
Results: When applied to periodontal pockets and exposed to 808 nm laser irradiation, the hydrogel became soft, dissolving to release the nanozyme. This nanozyme demonstrated superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and catalase (CAT)-like activity, reducing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) while displaying strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Conclusion: This photothermal nanozyme hydrogel showed excellent biocompatibility and has the potential to overcome the challenges of current periodontitis treatments.

Keywords: thermosensitive, photothermal therapy, hydrogel, periodontitis