Maria-Crinela ARDELEANU, Helmina ARDELEANU, Alin Stelian CIOBÎCĂ
ABSTRACT :
Dental conditions such as caries, periodontitis, periimplantitis, and persistent endodontic infections remain highly prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, impacting pain, masticatory function, aesthetics, and overall quality of life. Although modern dentistry provides effective treatments, therapeutic success is often constrained by the specific characteristics of the oral environment (salivary flow, mechanical clearance, and pH fluctuations) and by the presence of microbial biofilms, which reduce the penetration and efficacy of antimicrobial agents. In this context, biopolymeric nanoparticles represent promising platforms for local drug delivery by enhancing tissue retention, enabling controlled release of active compounds, and improving interactions with the biofilm matrix. Formulated from natural biopolymers or biodegradable synthetic polymers, these nanosystems can be engineered to exhibit mucoadhesive properties, stimulus-responsive release, and multimodal functionality, integrating antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects. This review article aims to synthesize the scientific rationale for the use of biopolymeric nanoparticles in dental pathology, describe the main categories of materials and formulation strategies employed, and evaluate their applications in biofilm control and periodontal therapy. Keywords: biopolymeric nanoparticles, dental biofilms, controlled drug delivery, periodontal therapy.