Chapter 18 - Nanoparticle-based antimicrobial for dental restorative materials

Abstract

Resin-based restorative dental materials such as composite resins, glass ionomer, and adhesive systems are primarily used to restore defective tooth structures. The development of pathogenic bacterial biofilm over the restorative material is one of the most significant trigger factors for secondary caries development. Dental caries lesions around restorations have been the main reason for operative treatment failure, and these lesions are related to the biofilm accumulation around these restorations. Recently, nanotechnology advances have led to incorporating nano-sized particles, particularly metals that exhibit antimicrobial properties. Diverse antimicrobial nanoparticles are promising the development of materials with antibiofilm properties. Dental materials formulated with nanoparticles presenting large surface-to-volume ratios and specific physical and chemical properties have demonstrated outstanding potential to control the formation of biofilms and could improve caries lesions inhibition. This chapter provides a broad overview of antibacterial nanoparticles applied to restorative dentistry, their synthesis, properties, and interactions with pathogenic microorganisms. Secondly, the range of dental restorative materials that demonstrate antimicrobial properties after nanoparticle incorporation is outlined, and in‐depth analysis and comparison of antimicrobial nanomaterials are provided, representing the next generation of antibacterial dental materials. Finally, this chapter looks into the potential future of these materials to researchers in other fields, dental materials science, and dental practitioners.