In Vitro Studies of Graphene for Management of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease: A Concise Review

Abstract

Graphene is a single-layer two-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterial. It presents as a thin and strong material that has attracted many researchers’ attention. This study provides a concise review of the potential application of graphene materials in caries and periodontal disease management. Pristine or functionalized graphene and its derivatives exhibit favorable physicochemical, mechanical, and morphological properties applicable to biomedical applications. They can be activated and functionalized with metal and metal nanoparticles, polymers, and other small molecules to exhibit multi-differentiation activities, antimicrobial activities, and biocompatibility. They were investigated in preventive dentistry and regenerative dentistry. Graphene materials such as graphene oxide inhibit cariogenic microbes such as Streptococcus mutans. They also inhibit periodontal pathogens that are responsible for periodontitis and root canal infection. Graphene-fluorine promotes enamel and dentin mineralization. These materials were also broadly studied in regenerative dental research, such as dental hard and soft tissue regeneration, as well as periodontal tissue and bone regeneration. Graphene oxide-based materials, such as graphene oxide-fibroin, were reported as promising in tissue engineering for their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and ability to enhance cell proliferation properties in periodontal ligament stem cells. Laboratory research showed that graphene can be used exclusively or by incorporating it into existing dental materials. The success of laboratory studies can translate the application of graphene into clinical use.

Graphene as a promising material in orthodontics: A review

“…The antibacterial properties of graphene-based material against Streptococcus mutans are utilized by various dental materials to prevent biofilm formation and reduce demineralization and caries development. [ 88 89 ]…”

“…Periodontal pathogens can be suppressed by graphene and its derivative to control infection and prevent tissue destruction. [ 15 88 ] Several research concluded that graphene-based materials are highly effective against P. gingivalis ,[ 51 55 93 ] the leading bacteria responsible for periodontal disease. [ 94 ] Additionally, graphene derivatives can be utilized for guided tissue and bone regeneration.…”

Bioactive Materials for Caries Management: A Literature Review

“…Graphene is a single flat sheet of carbon-based nanomaterial with an ideal two-dimensional (2D) structure [ 32 ]. Unfortunately, it is not easy to synthesise large-scale graphene.…”

“…Therefore, derivatives of graphene, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), have been introduced because they are easier to produce [ 105 ]. Graphene and its derivatives have many applications in science and technology, including dentistry [ 32 , 106 ]. For caries management, graphene-based materials have anti-cariogenic pathogen capacities [ 107 ] and mineralising properties [ 108 ].…”

“…Although researchers developed a variety of bioactive materials with promising remineralising properties, some of the materials are not yet commercialised. The researchers demonstrated that graphene-based materials, metal and metal-oxide nanomaterials and peptide-based materials are effective to remineralising demineralised lesions [ 32 , 33 , 36 , 38 , 151 , 152 ]. They are, however, mostly laboratory studies.…”