Protein-based bioplastics for dental applications: Opportunities, challenges, and future directions

bioplastics, dentistry, gelatin, gluten, protein

Rekhalakshmi Kamatham,
MDS Associate Professor,
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry,
Narayana Dental College and Hospital,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524003, India.
PhD Scholar, Department of Biotechnology,
Vikrama Simhapuri University,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524324, India
Email: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-5715-4620

Dileep Nag Vinnakota,
MDS, Professor,
Department of Prosthodontics,
Narayana Dental College and Hospital,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524003, India.
PhD Scholar, Department of Biotechnology,
Vikrama Simhapuri University,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524324, India
Email ID: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-1585-3773

Harikrishna Kamatham,
MS (USA), PhD, Head, Departments of ECE & ECM,
Anurag University,
Hyderabad, Telangana-500088, India
Email: [email protected]
ORCID: 0009-0004-0221-4894

Vijay AKB Gundi,
PhD, Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
Vikrama Simhapuri University,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524324, India
Email: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-9570-5078

Kiranmai Chadipiralla,
PhD, Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
Vikrama Simhapuri University,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524324, India
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-0998-4213

Corresponding author:
Kiranmai Chadipiralla,
PhD, Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
Vikrama Simhapuri University,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh-524324, India
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-0998-4213

Received:22-06-2026
Revised:30-07-2026
Accepted:10-08-2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34,7(s) 1098–1103

Protein-based bioplastics for dental applications: Opportunities, challenges, and future directions

In dentistry, there is an increasing demand for sustainable, biocompatible materials, coupled with a heightened need for research into promising nextgeneration bioplastics. Techniques such as crosslinking and blending can modify the properties of these bioplastics, including their biodegradability and moldability. This article examines bioplastics broadly, with a specific emphasis on wheat-based gluten and gelatin bioplastics and the scope of these bioplastics in dentistry. It discusses their fabrication methods, future prospects, limitations in dental applications, and potential strategies for improving their stability in humid oral environments. These materials may eventually be utilized for creating temporary dental prostheses, impression trays, aligners, and scaffolds for regeneration, oral strips, and barrier membranes. However, despite their promising characteristics, issues related to moisture sensitivity and long-term durability pose challenges for their clinical application. Additionally, allergenicity is a concern for certain populations. This paper underscores the need for further research to enhance the suitability of wheat gluten-based and gelatin-based bioplastics for application in dentistry.

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