Medicinal plants in dentistry- A brief review

Abstract

Finding healing powers in plants is an ancient idea. These form the basis for the development of new chemicals for pharmaceuticals and also the use of this readily available, natural and safe resources as a part of dental practice has a great potential for more green and natural dental practice. Several scientific investigations have highlighted the importance and the contribution of many plant families. Plants belonging to the following Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Rutaceae, Piperaceae, Sapotoceae are also used as medicinal plants. Plants play a vital role for development of new drugs. The bioactive extract should be standardized on the basis of active compounds and should undergo limited safety studies. This article provides a gist of all the valuable medicinal plants that can be used in dentistry for different curing and remedial procedures.