Nanotechnology and Medicine: The Interphase

Abstract

In a lecture entitled ‘There is plenty of room in the bottom’, American physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Richard Feynman introduced the concept of Nanotechnology to the world of science. K. Eric Drexler's 1986 publication of the first book on nanotechnology, titled ‘Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology’, set the way for a revolution in this field. This chapter discusses the properties of nanoparticles including their antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Being an interdisciplinary field, nanotechnology has three main extensively overlapping areas including nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, and nanobiotechnology all having applications in healthcare. Manufacturing approaches in nanotechnology comprises of two approaches; top-down approach and bottom-down approach. On the basis of their creation, composition, dimension, and structure, nanomaterials can be categorized. The concept of nanomedicine was proposed by Robert A. Freitas Jr. in the year 1993. Similar to this is the concept of nanodentistry. Nanotechnology has a vivid range of applications in the field of dentistry. Its application starts from diagnosis (nanodiagnostics) and is spread to different specialties of dentistry including endodontics, periodontics, and dental anaesthesia dental material science to name a few. In order to achieve and maintain the long-term stability of dental implants in bone tissue, surface qualities including chemistry and roughness are increasingly being modified using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has made promising strides towards the management of the COVID pandemic. Nano-based antiviral and antimicrobial formulations, nanoparticle-incorporated facial masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, PPE kits, and nano-based vaccines have added new dimensions in managing viral infection. The drawbacks of the technology have been pondered in this chapter. Despite all the shortcomings, this technology is all set to revolutionize the field of dentistry and dental science. However, like any other technology, nanotechnology too carries the potential for misuse and overuse if not properly regulated.