Nanotechnology Strategies for Caries Prevention and Treatment in Restorative Dentistry

Abstract

Tooth decay is the most common oral disease. The bacteriological etiology of dental caries encourages the use of antibiotics or antimicrobial agents to prevent such oral infectious diseases. Systemic antibiotics have long been used to treat dental caries. However, new antimicrobial agents have been developed to combat dental caries. Nanotechnology has provided many exciting and new applications in various fields, including medicine, through the use of nanomaterials. The use of nanoparticles is now considered for the treatment and prevention of dental infections and diseases. These nanomaterials are used in restorative, prosthetic, endodontic, periodontal treatments and implants such as resins, metals, ceramics etc. to prevent and treat oral diseases including dental caries. may be included in materials such as Nanotechnology treats dental caries in two main approaches. Nanotechnology-based strategies for dental caries management are the remineralized approach and the antibacterial approach. In the first approach, nanomaterials capable of releasing calcium fluoride and calcium such as calcium phosphate, calcium fluoride, hydroxyapatite and fluorohydroxyapapite are used in a process called remineralization. Application of antibacterial nanomaterials such as silver, quaternary ammonium polyethyleneimine and zinc oxide nanoparticles is the second approach. A combination of these two approaches can also be used to deliver better results. The aim of this review is to gather the most up-to-date information on the use and mechanisms of action of new and improved dental agents, with nanotechnology in the fight against oral pathogens, in order to stop and prevent the development of dental caries. © 2023, Selcuk University. All rights reserved.