Abstract
To date, many studies have examined the development and use of novel materials, enhancing the performance of existing dental composites and improving methods for restoring tooth structure. In recent years, nanotechnology-based techniques have been used to develop a variety of nanomaterial-based dental products aimed at conservative dentistry applications. These new nanomaterial-based materials offer improved physicochemical and mechanical properties, combined with enhanced aesthetics that makes them superior restorative materials in several dental procedures. This review discusses tooth structure, the oral microbial environment, chronic dental diseases such as dental decay (or caries), and periodontal disease, as well as systemic diseases in light of nanotechnology-based preventative and restorative dental filler product advancements. Considerations regarding human health and safety associated with the use of nanomaterials in dentistry are discussed. Lastly, knowledge gaps and limitations including future perspectives warranting further research are outlined. The study is followed by a conclusion which condenses the extensive data into a brief summary to establish a link between new nanomaterials and human interactions. This paper draws out and distils the current findings that have emerged from a substantial bibliographical review of a range of articles to provide an insight into the use and development of novel nanomaterials for preventive and restorative dentistry.
Highlights
Dental care procedures are believed to have started around 7,000 BC with holes being made in teeth to remove tooth decay [1]
The aims of this review were to: 1) summarize the structure of human teeth; 2) describe oral microbial homeostasis and oral health in terms of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and systematic diseases; 3) outline nanotechnology-based preventative and restorative dental filler materials being resin based composites, glass-ionomer cements and calcium phosphates, including hydroxyapatite; 4) discuss potential health and safety risks associated with the use of nanomaterials in dentistry, and (5) discuss future perspectives, knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research
Several studies have shown dental decay is not restricted to a single species, but is the outcome of interactions occurring between various microbial species and oral tissues that result in virulence and pathogenesis [109,110,111]
Summary
Dental care procedures are believed to have started around 7,000 BC with holes being made in teeth to remove tooth decay [1]. Further amalgam toxicity research, revealed that modern amalgams tend to be less stable than more traditional amalgams, concluding that mercury vapour emission rates from modern amalgams were typically ten times higher [16] This body of evidence for amalgam leaching resulted in the establishment of several anti-amalgam advocacy groups whom are lobbying governments globally to restrict or eliminate the use of amalgams in dental restoration, especially among children [17]. The aims of this review were to: 1) summarize the structure of human teeth; 2) describe oral microbial homeostasis and oral health in terms of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and systematic diseases; 3) outline nanotechnology-based preventative and restorative dental filler materials being resin based composites, glass-ionomer cements and calcium phosphates, including hydroxyapatite; 4) discuss potential health and safety risks associated with the use of nanomaterials in dentistry, and (5) discuss future perspectives, knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research
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