Polydopamine: a potential smart biomaterial in dentistry

BACKGROUND: Polydopamine (PDA) is a bioinspired multifunctional polymer inspired by mussel adhesive proteins. Owing to its universal adhesive properties, biocompatibility, surface functionalization ability, and regenerative potential, PDA has emerged as a promising smart biomaterial for numerous dental applications.

OBJECTIVE: To critically review the chemistry, biological properties, dental applications, limitations, and future translational perspectives of PDA in contemporary dentistry.

METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive narrative literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Articles published between January 2007, and March 2026 were screened using combinations of keywords: “polydopamine”, “mussel- inspired biomaterials”, “dentistry”, “dental implants”, “periodontal regeneration”, “adhesive dentistry”, “oral biofilms”, “regenerative endodontics”, and “tissue engineering”. Additional studies were identified through manual reference screening. Original research articles, reviews, preclinical investigations, and clinically relevant studies published in English were included. Conference abstracts, duplicate studies, and reports lacking direct relevance to dental applications were excluded.

RESULTS: PDA exhibits remarkable universal adhesion, osteogenic potential, antioxidant activity, photothermal conversion capability, and ease of surface functionalization. In dentistry, PDA has demonstrated considerable potential in implant surface modification, periodontal and peri-implant regeneration, adhesive dentistry, regenerative endodontics, antimicrobial coatings, craniofacial tissue engineering, and oral oncology. PDAcoated surfaces enhance osseointegration, promote stem cell differentiation, improve collagen stability, and facilitate sustained delivery of therapeutic agents. Nevertheless, challenges remain regarding structural heterogeneity, synthesis variability, longterm oral stability, reproducibility, potential cytotoxicity at higher concentrations, and limited clinical evidence.

CONCLUSIONS: PDA represents one of the most promising next-generation smart biomaterials in dentistry. Future developments integrating PDA with nanotechnology, stem cell engineering, additive manufacturing, and precision medicine may accelerate its clinical translation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: PDA-based biomaterials may significantly improve implant success, regenerative outcomes, and antimicrobial efficacy in dental practice. However, further standardization and long-term clinical studies are required before routine clinical implementation.

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