Abstract
The world of dentistry is approaching graphene-based nanomaterials as substitutes for tissue engineering. Apart from its exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and thermal stability, graphene and its derivatives can be functionalized with several bioactive molecules. They can also be incorporated into different scaffolds used in regenerative dentistry, generating nanocomposites with improved characteristics. This review presents the state of the art of graphene-based nanomaterial applications in the dental field. We first discuss the interactions between cells and graphene, summarizing the available in vitro and in vivo studies concerning graphene biocompatibility and cytotoxicity. We then highlight the role of graphene-based nanomaterials in stem cell control, in terms of adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Particular attention will be given to stem cells of dental origin, such as those isolated from dental pulp, periodontal ligament or dental follicle. The review then discusses the interactions between graphene-based nanomaterials with cells of the immune system; we also focus on the antibacterial activity of graphene nanomaterials. In the last section, we offer our perspectives on the various opportunities facing the use of graphene and its derivatives in associations with titanium dental implants, membranes for bone regeneration, resins, cements and adhesives as well as for tooth-whitening procedures.
Highlights
Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary science which aims at developing biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve tissue function by using a combination of cells, scaffolds and suitable biochemical factors [1]
All these studies would suggest that the antibacterial activity of graphene-based nanomaterials is variable and dependent on the conditions of the tests; in particular, results change depending on the type of material and the size of particles, on its concentration and its state, on the type of bacteria used in the study and on the medium used for their growth
We focused on the recent advances in dental tissue engineering using graphene and its related nanomaterials
Summary
Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary science which aims at developing biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve tissue function by using a combination of cells, scaffolds and suitable biochemical factors [1]. Scaffolds in particular represent the key element in tissue engineering research, whose role is to provide the appropriate environment for specific cells and to retain growth and nutrition factors for cellular migration, adhesion, growth and differentiation [2]. The present review intends to provide the reader an overview of the current state of the art of the graphene-based nanomaterials in tissue engineering in dentistry. We consider the influence of graphene-based nanomaterials both on biocompatibility, cytotoxicity and differentiation properties of stem cells. In this context, particular attention will be given to stem cells of dental origin. Applications of graphene-based nanomaterials on dental implants, membranes, resins, cements and adhesives as well as on teeth-whitening are extensively presented
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