Nanotechnology in dentistry: prevention, diagnosis, and therapy

Abstract

Nanotechnology has rapidly expanded into all areas of science; it offers significant alternative ways to solve scientific and medical questions and problems. In dentistry, nanotechnology has been exploited in the development of restorative materials with some significant success. This review discusses nanointerfaces that could compromise the longevity of dental restorations, and how nanotechnolgy has been employed to modify them for providing long-term successful restorations. It also focuses on some challenging areas in dentistry, eg, oral biofilm and cancers, and how nanotechnology overcomes these challenges. The recent advances in nanodentistry and innovations in oral health-related diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic methods required to maintain and obtain perfect oral health, have been discussed. The recent advances in nanotechnology could hold promise in bringing a paradigm shift in dental field. Although there are numerous complex therapies being developed to treat many diseases, their clinical use requires careful consideration of the expense of synthesis and implementation.

Demineralization–remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone

“…The use of nanotechnology in preventive dentistry, as antibacterial nanotherapy and biomimetic remineralization for reversing an incipient caries or recurrent decay, was explained in details in the literature. 124 …”

Roles of Nanotechnological Approaches in Periodontal Disease Therapy

“…For a very long time, conventional dentifrices such as gargles, mouthwashes, toothpaste and throat paints have been the most commonly used traditional products for maintaining oral hygiene and oral preventive measures, until recently when nanotechnology provide novel approaches for preventive measures against oral cavity diseases such as periodontal disease and dental caries (Abou Neel et al, 2015). Certain agents in nanoscale can be incorporated in these conventional dentifrices to aid in repelling the deposition of bacterial biofilms (plaque and tar) and/or prevent dental caries by remineralization of early carious lesions, and in desensitization of abraded teeth (Hannig and Hannig, 2010).…”

“…in the periodontal pocket), and should also intensify contact with the junctional epithelium so as to enhance the epithelial transport of poorly absorbable drugs. This is a desirable approach in order to improve the regeneration ability of damaged tissues and to effectively treat periodontal disease (Abou Neel et al, 2015). Nanotechnological drug delivery approaches are highly promising in achieving these goals.…”

“…Nanotechnological drug delivery approaches are highly promising in achieving these goals. It provides an avenue by which therapeutic molecules could been capsulated/loaded in carriers, such as nanoparticles or scaffolds, to allow targeted, sustained and controlled release to the intended location (Abou Neel et al, 2015). Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are among the most popular fields of current research for periodontal treatment and regeneration.…”

“…Nanotechnology is a discipline that has expanded rapidly into all areas of science and it offers valuable options for solving medical and scientific problems and questions (Abou Neel et al, 2015). A dental field of nanotechnology called nanodentistry is very promising and have demonstrated various treatment opportunities in dentistry in areas such as dental re-naturalization, local anesthesia, teeth hypersensitivity cure (Sahoo et al, 2007), periodontal regeneration (Walmsley et al, 2015), controlled drug delivery (Abou Neel et al, 2015;Jain et al, 2008) and overall oral health maintenance (Ozak and Ozkan, 2013), among others. This highly promising field may ensure the attainment of near perfect oral health by way of using nanomaterials, nanorobotics, biotechnology, etc.…”