Regenerative potential of rice husk-derived silica in periodontal tissue engineering – A narrative review

Abstract:

Periodontitis gradually breaks down tooth root cementum (CM), periodontal ligament (PDL), and alveolar bone, threatening tooth support and overall oral function. Standard treatments, such as scaling and root planing and surgical interventions, can effectively control infection and inflammation; however, they rarely fully regenerate lost periodontal tissues. To address this limitation, biomaterial-based strategies have gained increasing attention in periodontal therapy. Among these, silica-derived materials, especially bioactive glasses and calcium silicate ceramics, have demonstrated significant osteoconductive and CM-inducing properties. Rice husk, an abundant agricultural by-product rich in silica, represents a sustainable and cost-effective source of biomedical-grade silica. Through various processing methods, rice husk silica can be converted into nano-engineered particles, silica-derived bioactive glasses, or silicate ceramics. These materials have shown promising biological performance, combining environmental sustainability with biomedical functionality. Laboratory-based investigations report enhanced osteoblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and CM-related gene expression, while PDL fibroblasts display improved adhesion and matrix production on silica-based composites. In animal models, rice husk silica scaffolds have promoted new bone and CM formation with favorable tissue compatibility. Clinical analogs using silica-based bioactive glass in intrabony periodontal defects further support its translational potential, demonstrating improved attachment gain and bone fill. This review synthesizes evidence on rice husk-derived silica in periodontal regeneration, summarizing its physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, preclinical findings, and translational perspectives. Despite remaining challenges, particularly in achieving consistent CM regeneration and functional PDL orientation, rice husk silica shows potential as an environmentally sustainable, multifunctional scaffold; however, its clinical applicability requires further validation.