Hydroxyapatite (HAp) derived from chicken eggshells is emerging as a “promising biomaterial in dentistry,” according to a recent review published in Evidence-Based Dentistry.
The review, which analyzed 17 studies on eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (E-HAp), found the material offers “a wide range of applications” in tissue engineering and regenerative dentistry. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search in the PubMed and Scopus databases, as well as a grey literature search.
Most studies included in the review were in vitro investigations, focusing on uses such as sealing dentinal tubules and remineralizing early enamel caries lesions. E-HAp was also studied for tissue engineering purposes, including alveolar ridge preservation using bone grafts and periodontal regeneration. Other potential applications included regenerative endodontics and use as a pulp capping agent.
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Growing interest in tissue engineering
The review was prompted by growing interest in E-HAp for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, the authors noted.
While the use of hydroxyapatite — a naturally occurring calcium phosphate that is the primary inorganic component of bones and teeth — in human implants is not new, researchers continue to explore new sources for the material. In addition to chicken eggshells, hydroxyapatite has been synthesized from bovine, pig, and fish bones; seashells; mussel shells; and certain plants. One 2018 study even examined chicken beaks, a waste material that can contribute to environmental concerns, as a potential source.
Bioengineering is also drawing inspiration from animals in broader regenerative dental research. In 2024, a team at Tufts University in Massachusetts reported successfully bioengineering human-like teeth in pigs, representing a significant advance in dental regenerative medicine.