Smile Beyond the Stars: A Narrative Review Exploring the Challenges for Dentistry in Space

Abstract

Space dentistry addresses the unique challenges of providing dental care in space, where zero gravity, limited resources, and the vast distance from Earth complicate the maintenance of oral health. Ensuring astronauts' dental health is crucial, as dental issues can adversely affect their overall health and mission performance. Microgravity exacerbates risks for dental problems such as periodontitis, dental caries, bone loss, and potentially, neoplasms. Traditional dental care methods become less effective in microgravity, leading to increased plaque accumulation and worsening of dental diseases. As space missions venture further and last longer, maintaining oral hygiene presents unique challenges that necessitate innovative solutions. These include specialized tools like ergonomic toothbrushes and 3D-printed dental prostheses designed to function effectively in a zero-gravity environment. Preventive measures, such as comprehensive astronaut training programs focusing on oral health, are vital. These programs educate astronauts on maintaining oral hygiene and managing potential dental issues using available resources. Collaborative efforts among dental professionals, engineers, and space agencies are essential to developing comprehensive strategies for space dentistry. Such interdisciplinary collaboration leads to the advancement of dental care technologies and methodologies that can address the unique needs of astronauts. Despite the formidable challenges, these innovative solutions and collaborative efforts offer promising avenues for ensuring the dental health of astronauts during long-duration missions. This review aims to examine the detrimental effects of microgravity on the oral cavity and explore potential solutions to these issues, ensuring that humanity can continue to push the boundaries of space exploration while safeguarding the well-being of those who venture into the cosmos.