If you’re looking for an easy, science-backed way to support gingival healing after periodontal therapy, hyaluronic acid (HA) deserves a spot on your dental tray.

HA is a naturally occurring molecule found in the extracellular matrix of virtually all vertebrates. It binds water and interacts with tissue and clotting components—helping stabilize the healing environment and supporting processes like hydration, angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and anti-inflammatory signaling. [1] Think of it like this: if cells are bricks, HA is the mortar that helps hold the structure together. Clinically, another advantage is straightforward: HA adheres to biologic tissues, which can make placement and retention easier in the oral cavity.

Because HA is produced endogenously (via hyaluronan synthase) and degraded naturally (via hyaluronidases), it fits well within normal tissue turnover. [2] And when tissues are inflamed or healing is challenged, exogenous HA can help “fill the gap” where local biology may not be keeping pace. [3] Importantly, HA has an identical chemical structure across species and has a strong safety record with no known toxicity risk across extensive human/animal use. [4]

Why HA matters even more in veterinary dentistry

Let’s be honest about the real-world challenge: homecare is usually limited. Dogs don’t brush their own teeth, and only ~2–5% of owners report brushing their dog’s teeth. [5] That means plaque accumulates above and below the gumline, driving gingivitis and eventually periodontitis—with potential loss of periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. [6]

So for many patients, the cornerstone of care remains professional dentistry under anesthesia (scaling, polishing, extractions as needed). [7] That creates a valuable opportunity: once plaque and diseased tissue are removed, you have a short window where the site is primed for healing.

This is where HA can shine as an adjunct, especially after subgingival scaling and root planing.

What HA is doing at the site (in practical terms)

After debridement, HA can help support healing and stabilization by:

1. Stabilizing clot formation and related factors

2. Providing structure for angiogenesis and cell proliferation

3. Supporting trafficking of anti-inflammatory response cells

4. Protecting free nerve endings [8]

It’s no surprise that HA is already established in other medical areas (orthopedics, ophthalmology, wound care), and it’s also well represented in human dentistry—where there are multiple HA adjunct products already in use. [9]

Where HA can fit in your dental protocols (with supporting evidence)

Periodontal pockets / furcations

• In Class II furcation defects in Beagle dogs, HA was associated with >2x improvement in newly formed bone height, bone area, acellular cementum, and periodontal ligament compared with open-flap debridement alone at 3 months. [10]

Extraction sockets

• In Beagles with infected extraction sockets, HA use showed statistically significant improvement in mineralized bone at 3 months. [11]

Gingivitis / periodontal therapy support

• A human study found that a single HA application at the time of periodontal therapy improved gingival index, sustained over 12 weeks. [12]

Stomatitis (pain + healing support)

• A systematic review in recurrent aphthous stomatitis suggested HA reduced pain and shortened healing time, with no reported side effects and a comparable profile to triamcinolone. [13]

• A pilot study in feline chronic gingivostomatitis presented at the 2025 Veterinary Dental Forum (Dr. Bonnie Shope, DVM, DAVDC) reported findings consistent with benefit.

Oral surgery recovery

• Human studies report improved healing timelines in procedures such as oroantral fistula repair and frenectomy. [14,15]

Osteonecrosis risk (experimental model)

• In a rat study evaluating extraction healing during active bisphosphonate treatment, HA-treated sites showed 4.125% necrotic bone vs. 30.05% in untreated sockets at week 8. [16]

Note: As with any adjunct, outcomes depend on case selection, technique, and overall periodontal management. HA is best viewed as a supportive but powerful tool—not a substitute for thorough debridement and ongoing prevention.

The takeaway: low-friction, biology-friendly support for healing

HA is easy to integrate into both general practice and specialty dentistry workflows, with a compelling blend of:

• strong biologic rationale, [1,8]

• established safety profile, [4]

• and supportive evidence across periodontal therapy, extraction healing, and mucosal conditions. [10–16]

If you’re already doing the hard work (cleaning, debriding, extracting when needed), HA can be a practical and easy way to help support what happens next: more stable healing in the days and weeks after treatment.

Want to try HA in your practice?

Consider the PerioVive Sample Program, which includes a ~20-minute virtual call. A PerioVive dental specialist – DAVDC, VTS (Dentistry) – will cover key product info, answer your questions, and send a sample.

Register here:
https://calendar.app.google/91XCuJe66yYdUY2G6

References

[1] Iaconisi GN, Lunetti P, Gallo N, et al. Hyaluronic Acid: A Powerful Biomolecule with Wide-Ranging Applications—A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(12):10296. doi:10.3390/ijms241210296
[2] DeAngelis PL, Zimmer J. Hyaluronan synthases: mechanisms, myths, and mysteries of three types of unique bifunctional glycosyltransferases. Glycobiology. 2023;33(12):1117‑1127. doi:10.1093/glycob/cwad075
[3] Prosdocimi M, Bevilacqua C. Exogenous hyaluronic acid and wound healing: an updated vision. Panminerva Med. 2012;54(2):129-135.
[4] Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Final report of the safety assessment of hyaluronic acid, potassium hyaluronate, and sodium hyaluronate. Int J Toxicol. 2009;28(4 Suppl):5-67. doi:10.1177/1091581809337738
[5] Enlund KB, Brunius C, Hanson J, et al. Dental home care in dogs—A questionnaire study among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. BMC Vet Res. 2020;16(1):90. doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02281-y
[6] Niemiec BA. Periodontal disease. Top Companion Anim Med. 2008;23(2):72-80. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2008.02.003
[7] Niemiec BA, Kangas KB, Ribka EP. Anesthesia-free dentistry does not provide any demonstrable medical benefit for the control of periodontal disease in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Published online October 29, 2025. doi:10.2460/javma.25.06.0405
[8] Song B. Hyaluronic Acid: A Review of Clinical Applications in Human and Veterinary Dentistry. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/08987564251379636
[9] Malcangi G, Inchingolo AD, Trilli I, et al. Recent Use of Hyaluronic Acid in Dental Medicine. Materials. 2025;18(8):1863. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081863
[10] Tella EA, Aldahlawi SA, Azab ET, Yaghmoor WE, Fansa HA. Evaluation of hyaluronic acid gel with or without acellular dermal matrix allograft in the treatment of class II furcation defects in dogs: A histologic and histomorphometric study. Saudi Dent J. 2023;35(7):845-853. doi:10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.07.007
[11] Kim JJ, Song HY, Ben Amara H, Kyung-Rim K, Koo KT. Hyaluronic Acid Improves Bone Formation in Extraction Sockets With Chronic Pathology: A Pilot Study in Dogs. J Periodontol. 2016;87(7):790-795. doi:10.1902/jop.2016.150707
[12] Madkour GG, EL Refaie I, Mostafa B. Adjunctive use of hyaluronic acid with scaling and root planing in treatment of chronic periodontitis patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: a randomized controlled trial. Egypt Dent J. 2018;64(4):4057-4065.
[13] Al-Maweri SA, Alaizari N, Alanazi RH, et al. Efficacy of hyaluronic acid for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review of clinical trials. Clin Oral Investig. 2021;25(12):6561-6570. doi:10.1007/s00784-021-04180-4
[14] Mohammed NB, Alsaadi MA, Sultan SSN, Aliakbar A. Effect of 0.2% hyaluronic acid gel topical application on healing period of oroantral fistula treated with buccal flap. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2020;8(D):194‑197. https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/5157
[15] Doğan SSA, Karakan NC, Doğan Ö. Effects of topically administered 0.6% hyaluronic acid on the healing of labial frenectomy in conventional and 940-nm InGaAsP diode laser techniques in pediatric patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. Lasers Med Sci. 2024;39(1):48. doi:10.1007/s10103-024-03983-7
[16] Sarkarat F, Modarresi A, Riyahi A, Mortazavi P, Tabandeh F, Rakhshan V. Efficacy of hyaluronic acid, absorbable collagen sponge, and their combination in minimizing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) after dental extraction: a preliminary animal histomorphometric study. Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;44(1):8. doi:10.1186/s40902-022-00337-7