Nanotechnology in Dental Therapy and Oral Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

The emergence of nanotechnology within dental fields has sparked great interest in their potential applications. This chapter focuses on the application of nanotechnology in dental therapy and oral tissue regeneration, especially in dental materials. Nowadays, various nano-additives have been introduced into many commercially available products, making it overwhelmingly difficult for both dentists and patients to properly choose from. Actually, the choice of nanomaterials is dependent on the clinical scenario and the tooth to be restored, paying close attention to esthetic demand, loading, and the presence of any risk factors. In this chapter, we will introduce “Nanotechnology in tooth defect therapy,” “Nanotechnology in oral tissue regeneration,” and “Nanotechnology in antibacterial for oral disease and therapy.” Future direction is to develop more efficient and cost-effective nano-biosensing materials to treat dental diseases intelligently. For example, the materials have the potential to deliver drugs to disrupt biofilm formation in order to reduce the incidence of caries and periodontal disease and also can be used for tooth defect filling. Ultimately, it may be possible to achieve the pinnacle goal, tooth regeneration. Therefore, this chapter will help the readers gain a general grasp about the current application of nanotechnology in dental fields, relative benefits and limitations, and future trends.