Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been successfully applied in several areas due to their significant antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms. In dentistry, AgNP can be applied in disinfection, prophylaxis, and prevention of infections in the oral cavity. In this work, the use of silver nanoparticles in dentistry and associated technological innovations was analyzed. The scientific literature was searched using PubMed and Scopus databases with descriptors related to the use of silver nanoparticles in dentistry, resulting in 90 open-access articles. The search for patents was restricted to the A61K code (International Patent Classification), using the same descriptors, resulting in 206 patents. The results found were ordered by dental specialties and demonstrated the incorporation of AgNPs in different areas of dentistry. In this context, the search for patents reaffirmed the growth of this technology and the dominance of the USA pharmaceutical industry over AgNPs product development. It could be concluded that nanotechnology is a promising area in dentistry with several applications.
Highlights
The use of silver in dentistry has been documented since 1840, mainly in the prevention and treatment of dental caries [1]
We look forward to elucidating differences between the chemical, physical, and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, the types of nanoparticles used in dentistry, and their mechanisms of action against Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi
Other studies have reported that pure chlorhexidine has higher antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis and C. albicans [17,31], and a positive synergistic effect was present when AgNP was associated with chlorhexidine [72] biocomposites such as calcium glyceride phosphate [50] or antibiotics [76]
Summary
The use of silver in dentistry has been documented since 1840, mainly in the prevention and treatment of dental caries [1]. It was used as silver nitrate (AgNO3), and in association with fluorine (AgF). Most studies that have analyzed the use of AgNPs in dentistry did not present either further commercial and clinical applications or the chemical particularities of silver nanoparticles and their therapeutic success. We look forward to elucidating differences between the chemical, physical, and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, the types of nanoparticles used in dentistry, and their mechanisms of action against Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi
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