Nanotechnology for Dentistry: Prospects and Applications

Abstract

In the XXI century, application of nanostructures in oral medicine has become common. In oral medicine, using nanostructures for the treatment of dental caries constitutes a great challenge. There are extensive studies on the implementation of nanomaterials to dental composites in order to improve their properties, e.g., their adhesive strength. Moreover, nanostructures are helpful in dental implant applications as well as in maxillofacial surgery for accelerated healing, promoting osseointegration, and others. Dental personal care products are an important part of oral medicine where nanomaterials are increasingly used, e.g., toothpaste for hypersensitivity. Nowadays, nanoparticles such as macrocycles are used in different formulations for early cancer diagnosis in the oral area. Cancer of the oral cavity—human squamous carcinoma—is the sixth leading cause of death. Detection in the early stage offers the best chance at total cure. Along with diagnosis, macrocycles are used for photodynamic mechanism-based treatments, which possess many advantages, such as protecting healthy tissues and producing good cosmetic results. Application of nanostructures in medicine carries potential risks, like long-term influence of toxicity on body, which need to be studied further. The introduction and development of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials are no longer part of a hypothetical future, but an increasingly important element of today’s medicine.

Application of nanotechnology in periodontal therapy: Narrative review

“…Despite the groundbreaking methods and equipment introduced by nanotechnology in the dental field, certain apprehensions must be addressed (Table 4). These include cost-effective mass production of nanorobots, ethical dilemmas and human safety, biocompatibility issues, and the necessity for precision positioning and technical expertise in nanotechnology [90][91][92][93][94].…”

Surface Topography Steer Soft Tissue Response and Antibacterial Function at the Transmucosal Region of Titanium Implant

“…However, it was recently shifted to the nano level. [23][24][25][26] Recently, biomaterials with nanoengineered structures have revealed promising results in oral rehabilitation using dental implants and endodontics to control intracanal contamination. [27][28][29] For this purpose, various methods can be used for surface modification of dental implants, including mechanical (blasting, grinding), chemical (acid-etching, anodization), and physical (plasma spraying).…”

Evaluating the potency of laser-activated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy utilizing methylene blue as a treatment approach for chronic periodontitis

“…Unlike antibodies, MB-mediated A-PDT has the competence to eliminate bacterial cells within intact biofilms. Hence, A-PDT techniques exhibit the promise of eliminating residual subgingival infection unreachable by mechanical instrumentation alone ( 13 ). Beyond bacterial cytotoxicity, another research on the anti-inflammatory effects of MB photoactivation suppresses inflammatory markers and mediators—including cytokines, chemokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2, and nitric oxide ( 14 ).…”