Abstract
The emergence of nanomaterials for dental treatments is encouraged by the nanotopography of the tooth structure, together with the promising benefits of nanomedicine. The use of nanoparticles in dentistry, also termed as ‘nanodentistry', has manifested in applications for remineralisation, antimicrobial activity, local anaesthesia, anti-inflammation, osteoconductivity and stem cell differentiation. Besides the applications on dental tissues, nanoparticles have been used to enhance the mechanical properties of dental composites, improving their bonding and anchorage and reducing friction. The small particle size allows for enhanced permeation into deeper lesions, and reduction in porosities of dental composites for higher mechanical strength. The large surface area to volume ratio allows for enhanced bioactivity such as bonding and integration, and more intense action towards microorganisms. Controlled release of encapsulated bioactive molecules such as drugs and growth factors enables them to be delivered more precisely, with site-targeted delivery for localised treatments. These properties have benefitted across multiple fields within dentistry, including periodontology and endodontics and reengineering of dental prosthetics and braces. This review summarises the current literature on the emerging field of nanomaterials for dental treatments.
Highlights
Nanotechnology has allowed significant improvements in medicine and healthcare
the inherent properties of nanoparticles initiate the emergence of nanomaterials in dentistry
firstly to the ability to mimic the nanostructure of the tooth surface
Summary
Nanotechnology has allowed significant improvements in medicine and healthcare. Foreseeably, the development of nanomaterials has encouraged innovative applications in oral health. Regenerative endodontic therapy can be enhanced by scaffolds to which stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) can attach, proliferate and differentiate [85] For this purpose, the increased surface area of nanoparticles is useful for cell adhesion and biological activity. An injectable scaffold of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibrous microspheres with controlled release of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) helps in the promotion of SCAP differentiation into odontoblast-like cells [91] To improve implant– bone interconnection quality, including both mechanical anchorage and bone remodelling, nanotopographies can help by increasing surface wetness and stimulating continuous protein adsorption and the formation of blood components at implant interface [110] This includes titania nanosheet structures fabricated on titanium surfaces [111], coatings of HA and alumina nanoparticles for good osteointegration [112], and nanocoating with quercitrin, a natural flavonoid, which reduces osteoclast activity [113]. Apart from the risks to patients, occupational exposure to dental practitioners, such as inhalation of aerosols from drilling into a nanocomposite, has been highlighted [126]
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