Nanotechnology in Dentistry - Soon To Be Called Nanodontics
Nanotechnology in Dentistry - Soon To Be Called Nanodontics
Nanotechnology in Dentistry - Soon To Be Called Nanodontics
10(09), 368-379
Article DOI:10.21474/IJAR01/15366
DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/15366
RESEARCH ARTICLE
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DENTISTRY - SOON TO BE CALLED NANODONTICS
Dr. Anaswara S.1, Dr. Rani Somani2, Dr. Anu Susan Joy1, Dr. Serene M.S1, Dr. Jeetu Yadav1, Dr. Avani S.1
and Dr. Deepa P.1
1. Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences
and Research.
2. Professor and Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and
Research.
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Manuscript Info Abstract
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Manuscript History No field is untouched by nanotechnology, like wise it has also
Received: 10 July 2022 restructured the field of medicine as well as the dentistry. Nano
Final Accepted: 14 August 2022 dentistry as an advanced clinical tool with the help of nanomaterials
Published: September 2022 and nano devices will be able to provide comprehensive oral health
care. Some of them are Inducing anaesthesia, Hypersensitivity cure,
Key words:-
Nanotechnology, Nano Dentistry, Tooth repair, Nanorobotic dentifrice, Orthodontic nanorobots,
Nanomedicine Diagnosis of oral cancer, Treatment of oral cancer etc. with ongoing
developments in this branch, will offer more sophisticated methods for
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, so that a new era in dentistry is in
near future. This review is focused on the recent developments, various
approaches. particularly of nanoparticles, materials and its applications
in the fi eld of dentistry.
Theterm „nanotechnology‟ was introduced in 1974 by Norio Taniguchi, a researcher at theUniversity. However, the
baseline motivation towards the field of nanotechnology probably comes fromRichard Feynman for his historical
presentation, “There is plenty of room at the bottom” on nanotechnology given by him, in 1959, at the conference of
American Physical Society2,3.The nanomaterial can be considered as a particle with a maximum size of 1 ×
10−9m.At nanoscale the mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal, and magnetic properties of a nanoparticle are
different from those of its bulk material4. Nanotechnology has been utilized in various research fields including
electronics, cosmetics and medicine5. There are various nanomaterials that have potential application in the field of
medicine and dentistry.
Growing interest in the future medical applications of nanotechnology lead to the emergence of a new field called
nanomedicine – the science and technology of diagnosing, treating, preventing disease and traumatic injury,
relieving pain, preserving and improving human health using nanoscale-structured materials, biotechnology and
genetic engineering with complex molecular machine systems and nanorobots.
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Corresponding Author:- Dr. Anaswara S.
Address:- Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Divya
Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research.
ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 10(09), 368-379
In 2000, the term and the field of nano dentistry were introduced. It is predicted that nanotechnology will affect the
fields of diagnosis, materials, restorative dentistry, and surgery. These new branches namely nanorobotics, nano
diagnosis, nanomaterials, and nano surgery and nanodrugs would impact clinical dentistry in the future. Soon this
science fiction will become reality. The growing interest in the future of dental applications of nanotechnology lead
to the emergence of nano dentistry which includes the maintenance of oral health by the use of nanomaterials,
biotechnology and dental nanorobotics.
Nano dentistry is the application of nanotechnology in dentistry and is the future of dentistry in which every
procedure will be performed using equipment and devices based on nanotechnology. 6
Nanodentistry is defined as the science and technology of diagnosing, treating and preventing oral and dental
diseases, relieving pain, preserving and improving dental health using nanostructured material. There are varieties of
new dental products available, ranging from implants to oral hygiene products that rely on nanoscale properties.7
Nanostructures
The enhanced properties of the nanoparticles increase the mechanical properties like enhanced toughness, stiff ness,
transparency, increased scratch, abrasion, solvent and heat resistance and decreased gas permeability. The various
nanoparticles are nanopores, nanotubes, quantum dots, nanoshells, dendrimers, liposomes, nanorods, fullerenes,
nanospheres, nanowires, nano belts, nanorings, nanocapsules8.
Advantage of nanoscale
1.Nano is the scale at which the basic functions of the biological world operate - and materials of this size display
unusual physical, chemical properties and mechanical properties like enhanced toughness, stiff ness, transparency,
increased scratch, abrasion, solvent and heat resistance and decreased gas permeability.
2. These profoundly different properties are due to an increase in surface areacompared to volume as particles get
smaller 6
Approaches To Nanotechnology
1. Bottom-up approach: This approach arranges smaller components into more complex assemblies. Eg: Inducing
anaesthesia, Hypersensitivity cure, Tooth repair, Nanorobotic dentifrice, Orthodontic nanorobots, Dental durability
and cosmetics, Nanotech floss, Photosensitizers and carriers, Diagnosis of oral cancer, Treatment of oral cancer 9.
2. Top- down approach: This approach creates smaller devices by using larger ones to direct their assemblies:
Salivary diagnostics powered by nanotechnologies , Nanocomposites, Nanotechnology for glass ionomer cement
,Nano-ceramic technology ,Nano bond, Nano solutions ,Coating agents, Nanotechnology for impression materials,
Nano-composite denture teeth, Implants, Laser plasma application for periodontia, Nano needles, Nano bone
replacement materials, Nano bone fibres, Nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents, Nanotechnology based root-end
sealant9.
3. Functional approach: This approach develops components of the desired functionality without much importance
to their assembly or structure3.
4. Speculative approach: This approach often takes a big picture view of nanotechnology, with more emphasis on
its societal implications than the details of how such inventions could actually be created. 3
5. Regenerative nanotechnology (Bio-Mimicry) -Dentition renaturalization, Dentition replacement therapy (major
tooth repair)9
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Advantages Of Nanotechnology
The various advantages of nanotechnology are as following
1. Better accuracy
2. Better efficiency and speed
3. Non‑invasive technique
4. Computer‑controlled operation with nobs to fine‑tune the amount, frequency, time of release.
5. Use of nanorobot drug delivery systems with increased bioavailability
6. Targeted therapy such as only malignant cells treated
7. Fewer mistakes on account of computer control and automation
8. Reach remote areas of human anatomy, which was not operatable at the surgeon‟s operating table.
9. As drug molecules are carried by nanorobots and released where needed the advantages of the large interfacial
area during mass transfer can be realized
10. Drug inactive in areas where therapy not needed minimizing undesired side effects
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are those with components <100 nm in at least one dimension10. Their properties vary majorly from
other materials due to two reasons:
1. The increase in surface area
2. Quantum effects.
Examples of nanoscale materials are Nanorobots, Nanosensors, Implantable nanomaterials, Nano phase materials,
Nanohydroxyapatite, Nanophase carbon.
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Nanorobots
Nanorobots are made of components with size ranges from 1 to 100 nm and diameter of about 0.5–3 µ. Carbon will
be the primary component in the form of diamondoid or fullerenes form. Nanorobots would respond to definite
programs enabling clinicians to execute accurate procedures with great accuracy, effectiveness, and speed at the
cellular and molecular level.
For example, when an Micronanotool atomic force microscope configured to perform nanomanipulation, it can be
considered as a nanorobotic instrument. Macroscale robots or microrobots, which can move with nanoscale
precision can also be considered nanorobots.
Nanosensors
Nanosensors have been used in the military to identify airborne harmful materials, weapons of chemical warfare and
drugs, and other substances in expired air.
Implantable nanomaterials
Micro- and nanotechnology-based biomedical implantable devices are collectively known as bionic implants. The
term bionic refers to the study of artificial systems that can mimic the biological systems. Implantable devices have
demonstrated significant potential for wide applications including biosensing and drug delivery. 11
These materials can be applied in various fields:
1. Tissue healing and substitution
2. Implant materials
3. Osseous repair
4. Sensory aids
5. Cochlear and retinal implants
6. Tissue regeneration scaffolds
7. Bioresorbable materials
8. Diagnostic and therapeutic devices
Nanophase materials
Nanophase materials are promising materials for various bio‑ applications like repair of bone defects, as implant
materials, etc. It improves both mechanical as well as biological properties 10.
Nanophase carbon
Carbon nano fibres have extra ordinary conjectural mechanical properties in addition to nanoscale dimensions like
natural HA; these features support its proposals a maxillofacial implant material. Extra ordinary mechanical
properties and nanoscale dimensions enables carbon nanofibers to use as a maxillofacial implant material.
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Local nanoanaesthesia
Ongoing research to induce local anesthesia in the era of nano dentistry, is working on colloidal suspension
containing millions of active analgesic dental nano robotic particles that could be instilled on the patient‟s gingiva.
These nano robots, after contacting the surface of the crown or mucosa, reach the dentin by migrating into the
gingival sulcus and pass painlessly to the target site. On reaching the dentin, the nano robots enter dentinal tubule
and proceed toward the pulp, all under the control of the onboard nano-computer as directed by the dentist. Once
installed in the pulp, the analgesic dental robots may be commanded by the dentist to shut down all sensitivity in any
particular tooth that requires treatment. After completion of the treatment procedure, the dentist orders the nano
robots to restore all sensation, to relinquish control of nerve traffic and to egress from the tooth by similar pathways
used for ingress.13
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Hypersensitive cure:
Researchers at the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan have
published a paper demonstrating the use of gold nanoparticles in occluding dental tubules. These gold nanoparticles
(5 nm in diameter), have a low melting point. One of the methods of closing sub-micron sized dentinal tubules
explored by Dr. Chris Wang and his team involved the sintering of highly concentrated gold nanoparticles that were
brushed into the exposed open ends of dentinal tubules14. Laser irradiation also induced the photofusion of gold
nanoparticles via photothermal conversion.
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Orthodontic treatment
A new stainless-steel wire that uses nanotechnology is being studied that combines ultra-high strength with good
deformability, corrosion resistance, and surface finish in contrast to current molar up righting techniques, which
require weeks or months to complete12.
Halitosis
Dentifrobots may prevent the oral malodor by interfering with the metabolism of bacteria.Nanorobots are being
incorporated in mouthwash so that they can identify and destroy pathogenic bacteria leaving behind harmless oral
flora to flourish in the oral ecosystem. It would also identify food particles, tartar and plaque lift them from the teeth
to be rinsed away. 16
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Nanotech floss
Ultra-thin, ultra-glide, completely non-shredding with excellent tensile strength. The unique nano-structure of dental
tape allows for the addition of flavours, and delivery of medications.
Nanocomposites
Nanofiller incorporated into resin matrix are of 2 types- nanomers and nanoclusters.
Nanomers (NM) are mono-dispersed, nonaggregated and non-agglomerated silica nanoparticles treated with 3
methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilaneMPTS . MPTS also allows chemical bonding of the NM filler to the resin,
matrix during curing10.
Nanoclusters (NCs) particles- the primary particle size of this NC filler ranges from 2 to 20 nm, while the spheroidal
agglomerated particles have a broad size distribution, with an average particle size of 0.6 μm.
Trade name: Filtek Supreme universal restorative pure nano, Ceram X mono(Densply)
Advantages
1. Increased hardness.
2. Improved flexural strength, toughness andtranslucency.
3. Decreased polymerization shrinkage (50%).
4. Exceptional handling properties.
5. High polish retention
6. Higher translucency giving it more lifelike appearance
Nanosolution (Nanoadhesives)
Nanosolutions are constituted by dispersible nanoparticles, which are then used as a component in bonding agents.
They lead toa homogenous and perfectly mixed adhesive consistently.
Advantages:
1. Higher dentine and enamel bond strength
2. High stress absorption
3. Longer shelf life&Fluoride release
4. Durable marginal seal
5. No separate etching required
Commercially available as Ketac N100 light curing nano ionomer restorative (3M ESPE).
Nano light curing GIC is comprised of two paste system:
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1. Paste 1 – Non-Aqueous paste –contains FAS glass matrix that is prepared by fusing together SiO2, AlF3, ZnO,
SrO, cryolite, NH4F, MgO and P2O5, reactive resins HEMA and filler components- Nanomers, nanoclusters of
varying sizes.
2. Paste 2 - Aqueous paste-polyalkenoic acid component-modified polyacrylic acid with pendant methacrylate
groups, HEMA, deionized water, photoinitiator and nanofillers.
Impression materials:
Nano fillers are integrated in vinylpolysiloxanes, producing a unique addition of siloxane impression materials. The
material has better flow, improved hydrophilic properties and enhanced detail precision13.
Trade name:
Nano Tech Elite H-D+
Advantages:
1. Increased fluidit
2. Hydrophilic properties
3. Resistance to distortion and heat resistance
4. Snap set that consequently reduces errors caused by micro movements
5. Better working and setting time.
6. Low contact angle of approximately 300 for accurate, reliable impressions in the oral environment.
7. Outstanding tear strength ensures reliable impressions.
8. Minimized out-gassing time for immediate pour of models.
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Advantages:
1. Excellent polishing ability and stain-resistant
2. Superb esthetics
3. Enhanced wear resistance and surface hardness
Nanoencapsulation
It is a controlled drug release system using nanomaterials like hollow spherical or core‑ shell structured nanotubes
and nanocomposites. Have been widely explored for controlled drug release.South West Research Institute
developed specifically targeted release system in the form of nanocapsules for the delivery of vaccines, antibiotics,
and various drugs with fewer adverse effects.They also developed protecting outfit and mask, incorporating
anti‑ pathogenic nano‑ emulsions and nano‑ particles, medical appendage dressings for immediate cure and bone
targeting nanocarriers which integrate with natural bone easily17.
Dentifrices
Nano-sized hydroxyapatite molecules are a major constituent in these dentifrices. These molecules repair the
damage tooth structure by forming a protective shell around the tooth structure. Microbrite dentifrice and has
microhydrin (1-5 nanometres) which breaks down theorganic food particles9.
Prosthetic Implants
Albrektssonet al., in 2008 and Goeneet al., in 2007 demonstrated that the addition of nanoscale deposits of
hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate creates a more complex implant surface forsuccessful osteoblast
formation.Bone growth and osseointegration can be effectively attained with implants by using nanotechnology
because they enhance the integration of nanocoatings resembling biological materials to the tissues 9.
Orthodontic wires:
Sandvik Materials Technology has developed a new stainless steel with exceptional properties; called Sandvik
Nanoflex, the new steel allows ultra-high strength to be combined with good formability, corrosion resistance and a
good surface finish16.
Advantages:
• Broad spectrum,Hypoallergic,Noncoroding,Does not stain fabric,Require no protective clothing, Environment
friendly,Compatible with various impression materials.
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autologous whole replacement tooth that includes both mineral and cellular components which leads to complete
dentition replacement therapy35. So Nanodentistry for major tooth repair may consist of growing the whole new
teeth in vitro using genetic and tissue engineering and embedding them into the socket.
Disadvantages of nanotechnology
Even though nanorobots may prove to be a boon to emerging medical technology, there are certain
disadvantages/risks associated with it.
1. The initial design cost is very high
2. The design of the nanorobot is a very complicated one
3. Electrical systems can create stray fields which may activate bioelectric-based molecularrecognition systems in
biology.
4. Electrical nanorobots are susceptible to electrical interference from external sources such as RF or electric
fields, electromagnetic pulse, and stray fields from other in vivo electrical devices.
5. Shielding these devices from electromagnetic fields may prove to be difficult leading to their malfunctioning.
6. Hard to interface and customize
7. Nanorobots can cause a brutal risk in the field of terrorism.
8. The terrorism and anti-groups can make use of nanorobots as a new form of torturing their communities as
nanotechnology also have the capability of destructing the human body at the molecular level.
9. Privacy involved with Nanorobots.
10. As Nanorobots deals with the designing of compact and minute devices, there are chances for more
eavesdropping than that already exists.
11. Require customization for specialized functions.
The three most important factors that cause toxicity are the size, charge, and shape of the nanoparticle used. Along
with which the mechanism of action, by which it causes damageinvolved in cell lysis and cell apoptosis.
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Conclusion:-
This review is focused on the recent developments, various approaches. particularly of nanoparticles
nanocomposites, and other materials will play a growing role in materials development for the dental industry.
Nanomedicine needs to overcome the challenges for its application, to improve the understanding of
pathophysiologic basis of disease, bring more sophisticated diagnostic opportunities, and yield more effective
therapies and preventive properties. Despite the several ongoing global developments in nanomedicine several
countries in the Asian and African continents remain far off in terms of nanotechnological developments. This has
been primarily fuelled by factors such as poor funding, inability to retain trained nanotechnology manpower/experts,
poor technological transfer principles, slow strategic decisions at relevant levels of governance and research,
absence of private enterprises participation and collaborations. Overcoming these challenges would facilitate further
advancements in Nano dentistry in these regions, and indeed worldwide. Although this rapidly advancing field of
medicine offers a promising future, it may also pose a risk for misuse and abuse. Further researches, testing, and
frank discussions with open sharing of ideas should be required to make this promising technology a reality.
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