Nanodentistry: Revolutionizing Dental Care with Tiny Marvels

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, Nanotechnology stands at the forefront of innovations. Within the realm of dentistry, the convergence of nanotechnology and oral healthcare has given rise to a burgeoning field known as Nanodentistry. The term  Nanodentistry was coined by R.A. Freitas in 2000. By harnessing the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale, Nanodentistry holds the potential to transform the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent oral diseases, paving the way for a future of personalized, minimally invasive, and highly effective dental care. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of Nanodentistry by discussing some of the current developments, applications, and challenges.

 Nanodentistry in Operative and Restorative Dentistry

• Dental nanocomposites possess enhanced mechanical, chemical, and optical properties, contributing to their effectiveness in various dental applications

• Restorative composites infused with antimicrobial nano-agents and materials designed to release nanofluoride

• Biomimetic tooth analog materials, mimicking the nanoscale architecture of enamel and dentin, along with their anisotropic properties, contribute to minimally invasive tooth removal procedures

 Nanodentistry in Preventive Dentistry

• Dental pastes containing remineralizing nanoparticles help relieve dentin hypersensitivity

• Nano fluoride–ion releasing materials for prevention of dental caries.

• Nanosystems enabling dental plaque monitoring

Nanodentistry in diagnosis

• Quantum dots are used as probes for diagnosis of oral cancer, which are cadmium-selenide inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals

 Nanodentistry in Prosthodontics

• In the fabrication of dentures, to overcome  low strength, fracture resistance, and microbial adhesion nanoparticles like TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃  are incorporated into polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA). Which enhanced the modulus of strength, ductility, and aesthetic properties of PMMA and also developed antimicrobial properties

• Nano zirconia ceramic has improved the hardness and reduced the brittleness of dental crowns

 Nanodentistry in Oral Surgeries

• Discovery of nanotweeers and nanoneedles can be helpful in cellular surgeries

 Nanodentistry in Endosseous Dental Root Implants

• Nano TiO2 coatings are utilized to enhance the corrosion resistance of implants

• Nano modifications on the implant surface for better and faster osseointegration, enabling earlier implant loadings

Nanodentistry in orthodontics

• Dental nanorobots could potentially manipulate periodontal tissue and thereby facilitate the precise adjustment of teeth to desired positions

 Nanodentistry in Endodontics

• Utilizing novel active nano biomaterials, there are procedures aimed at healing and regenerating pulp and periodontal tissues in endodontic regeneration

• For the treatment of periodontal diseases Triclosan-loaded nanoparticles have been developed

 Nanodentistry for Oral Medicine

• In order to treat oral cancerous or other diseases, dental local nanocontainers can be placed in the oral cavity as a local drug delivery system

Nanodentistry  in Periodontics

• Nanoparticles are incorporated into scaffolds, membranes, artificial bone foams, and injectable systems aimed to enhance osteoconductivity and improve the quality of osseointegration

• Nanocarriers containing antibacterial drugs and osteogenic growth factors are used

Challenges of Nanodentistry

• Difficulties in simultaneous manipulation of a nanorobot

• Difficulties in manufacturing nanomaterials that should be bio-friendly

• Hazards posed by nanoparticles because of their capacity to interact with DNA and RNA and hence produce mutations.

• Ethical and social challenges such as public acceptance

CONCLUSION

Nanodentistry represents a groundbreaking frontier in oral healthcare, leveraging the power of nanotechnology to revolutionize diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. With its ability to enhance the properties of dental materials, improve drug delivery systems, and enable precise tissue manipulation, nanodentistry holds immense promise for addressing current challenges in dentistry and ushering in a new era of personalized, minimally invasive, and effective oral care. As research and development in this field continue to advance, we can anticipate remarkable innovations that will not only transform dental practice but also enhance the overall well-being of patients worldwide.

 REFERENCES

1. Poster on Nanotechnological impact on dental materials and procedures by Tijana Lainovic and Larisa Blazic ,2014

2. Nanodentistry: Is just a fiction or future by Himanshu Aeran, Varun Kumar, Shashank Uniyal, Pooja Tanwer. 2015.

3. Nanodentistry: The road ahead by Atom, Jenny^, Rati, Ningthoukhongjam²; Deepak, B. S, Chandarani, Sagolsem^, Devi, T. Premlata^, Priyadarshini ,2023

4. Nanotechnology and dentistry by Sule Tugba Ozak and Pelin Ozkan , 2013

5. The nano era in dentistry by Sneha S Mantril and Shivkumar P Mantril , 2013

By Dr. Amingold M J