Abstract
In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have been receiving more attention in dentistry. Their advantageous physicochemical and biological properties can improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of numerous oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal diseases, pulp and periapical lesions, oral candidiasis, denture stomatitis, hyposalivation, and head, neck, and oral cancer. NPs can also enhance the mechanical and microbiological properties of dental prostheses and implants and can be used to improve drug delivery through the oral mucosa. This paper reviewed studies from 2015 to 2020 and summarized the potential applications of different types of NPs in the many fields of dentistry.
Highlights
Nanotechnology has become one of the most active research areas in the past decades, especially in health sciences [1]
Ibrahim et al showed that the addition of more than 25% (v/v%) of chitosan NPs in the glass ionomer cement (GIC) improved its bactericidal effect against S. mutans, but decreased its physical properties, leading to ruptures and poor adhesion to dentin [19]
Other polymeric NPs composed of poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) and polylactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) are used for the prevention and treatment of dental caries
Summary
Nanotechnology has become one of the most active research areas in the past decades, especially in health sciences [1]. NPs are gaining momentum in dentistry due to their physicochemical and biological properties, including biocompatibility, size, charge, large surface area, strength, solubility, chemical and surface reactivity, color, high stability, and thermal conductivity [6,7,8]. Such properties have allowed the development of new, innovative materials and the expansion and improvement of their functions [9]. We discussed how these NPs can enhance the physicochemical and biological characteristics of dental implants and removable prostheses, and how they can improve the delivery of drugs via the buccal route
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