Current trends and future perspectives on dental nanomaterials - An overview of nanotechnology strategies in dentistry

The field of nanotechnology or nanoscience encompasses research and development in the applied sciences at the atomic or molecular levels and has a huge impact on nearly every aspect of human health and well-being, including pharmacological studies, clinical diagnosis, and supplemental immune system treatments. The numerous dental uses of nanotechnology have led to the development of the field of nanodentistry. The efficacy of dental operations and the field's possibilities have grown greatly over the years as a result of extensive research in the fields of biomaterials and nanotechnology. Materials with nanoscale dimensions can display features not found in their larger-scale equivalents. Endodontic procedures are time-consuming and usually require multiple visits to attain the best results. The eradication of primary bacterial infection from dental root canals is still a serious concern in dentistry. Nanoparticles have been shown to be more efficient than standard materials and to have superior capabilities in terms of surface chemistry and bonding. Their antimicrobial characteristics are also promising in all medical procedures, particularly in endodontics. Because of their versatility, nanomaterials are a useful tool in dental clinics for a variety of operations including pulp regeneration, drug administration, root restoration, cleaning, obturation, and canal filling. This review provides an overview of the synthesis and characteristics of nanomaterials and their potential applications in dentistry and describes future perspectives of nanotechnology in dentistry with an updated literature review. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).