Silver, the magic bullet in dentistry – A review

Abstract

Silver, the natural biocide, is used in medicine since the time of Hippocrates to treat burn wounds because of its antibiotic and wound healing properties. In Dentistry, Silver amalgam had been in use for centuries owing to its superior physical and mechanical properties. Following the observation made by Howe regarding the cariostatic effect of Silver, the spotlight was thrown on silver yet again. Nano-scaled silver nanoparticles are among the ‘second wave' of silver products developed as a result of recent developments in manufacturing and biomaterial science. Size reduction entails an increase in contact surface, which is a necessary prerequisite for silver's actions. Dentistry, a speciality with versatile nature never ceases to incorporate the newer advancements into its technical armamentarium. Hence innumerable studies were conducted with the silver nanoparticle addition to dental biomaterials. This article is to present a brief narrative review of the existing literature on the numerous applications of Silver nanoparticles in Dentistry. Silver nanoparticles incorporation into dental biomaterials improves the antimicrobial efficacy and remineralization potency and thus can act as an effective anticaries agent and as a silver lining to the dental armamentarium. Hence been termed “the Magic bullet” in Dentistry.