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1. Emerging trends in Nano-dentistry
Introduction
Emerging nano-level technology has the potential to transform dental practice by advancing
all aspects of dental diagnosis and therapeutics. Studying dental structures and surfaces from
a nano perspective leads to better understanding of the structure, function and the
physiological relationship of dental surfaces. Using nano-characterized tools, a number of
oral diseases can be well understood at the molecular and cellular levels1 and thus can be
prevented. Various applications of nanotechnology in dentistry are presented here.
Anti-hypersensitivity agents
Dentin hypersensitivity is based on the fact that hypersensitive teeth have eight times higher
surface density and diameters twice as large as non-sensitive teeth. Dental nanorobots may
selectively and precisely occlude sensitive tubules in seconds, rendering patients a quick and
permanent relief. 1
Nanorobotic dentifrice
Dentirobots are invisibly small (1–10 micron), with 103–105nanodevices, with a speed of 1–
10 microns/second. These nanorobotic dentifrices delivered in the form of mouthwash or
toothpaste should be used at all supragingival and subgingival surfaces at least once a day,
which leads to metabolization of trapped organic matter into harmless and odourless vapors
and continuous calculus debridement. 1, 2
Nanomaterials
The disparity between the particle size of conventional composites and HA crystal, dentinal
tubule, and enamel rods is such that there is a potential for inappropriate adhesion between
the tooth structure and the restorative material. Nanocomposites have the potential to improve
the continuity between the tooth structure and the nanosized filler particle and provide a more
stable and natural interface between the two. One such nanocomposite system (Premise,
Kerr/ Sybron, Orange, CA) is composed of three different types of filler components: non-
agglomerated “discrete” silica nanoparticles, prepolymerized fillers and barium
glass.Advantages of these nano composites include superior hardness, flexural strength,
modulus of elasticity, translucency, 50% reduction in filling shrinkage, excellent handling
properties.Nanosolutions produce unique and easily dispersible nanoparticles,which can be
used in bonding agents (trade name: Adper Single Bond Plus Adhesive Single
Bond).Nanofiller particles are integrated in vinyl polysiloxanes, thus producing a unique
siloxane impression material. 1, 3
Local anesthesia and Nanoneedles
A colloidal suspension which can contain millions of active analgesic micron-size particles
called dental robots has been proposed as anaesthetic which can be applied on patient’s
gingiva.2 Suture needles incorporating nano-sized stainless steel Crystal shave been
developed (trade name: Sandvik Bioline, RK 91 needles, Sweden). Nanotweezers are also
under the development stages. This will make the cell surgery possible in the near future. 4, 5, 6

2. Dental cosmetics
Tooth durability and appearance might be improved by replacing upper enamel layers with
more fracture resistant material such as nanostructured composites, possibly including
embedded carbon nanoparticles. 2, 7
Tooth repair and reminerilization
Manufacturing and installation of a biologicaly autologous whole tooth that includes both
mineraland cellular components would become feasible. Chen et al took advantage of this
latest nanotechnology to simulate the natural biomineralization process to create the hardest
tissue in the human body i.e. enamel, by using nanorod-like calcium HA crystals
arrangedroughly parallel to each other. reminerilization procedure may become popular
among patients who desire to have their old dental amalgams excavated and their teeth
remanufactured with native biological materials, and full coronal renaturalization procedures
in which all fillings, crowns are removed, with the affected teeth remanufactured to become
indistinguishable from original teeth. 3, 7, 8
Nanopores or Tubes
These are tiny holes that can allow DNA to pass through onestrand at a time. DNA
sequencing might become moreefficient with this.Nanotubes are carbon rods of diameter half
that of a DNAmolecule that not only can detect the presence of altered genesbut also may
help to locate the exact position ofthese changes. 3, 9, 10
Nanoencapsulation
South West Research Institute (SWRI) has developed targeted release systems which
includes nanocapsules including novel vaccines, antibiotics, and drug delivery with
reducedside effects. Other products manufactured by SWRI includeProtective clothing and
filtration masks, medical appendages for instantaneous healing, biodegradable nanofiber
delivery platforms for hemostatic wound dressings are in development along with
nanocrystalline silver particles with antimicrobial propertieson wound dressings, bone
targeting nano carriers: calcium phosphate-based biomaterial is developed, which is an easily
flowable and moldable paste that conforms to and interdigitates with host bone. 10, 11
Bone replacement materials
Bone is a natural nanostructuredcomposite composed of organic compounds
(mainlycollagen) reinforced with inorganic ones (HA). It is this naturalnanostructure that
nanotechnology aims to emulate for orthopedic and dental applications. The smaller the
particleis, the larger the surface area is in volume and Nano-Bone® uses this principle.
Because the cells are too big for the smallpores, blood plasma containing all the important
proteins isretained in the interstices. The surface of the pores (and also of the nanopores) is
modified in such a way that it literally“hangs on” to the proteins. Features of nano-bone graft
materials include osteoinductive, fully synthetic, non sintered, highly porous, nanostructured,
absorbs natural proteins into the nanopores, should be degraded by osteoclasts, should have
good processability and no ionic solution inclusions. 4, 5, 10
Use of nanotechnology in implant material fabrication
In recent years, the development of nanostructured ceramic materials in order to achieve
increased strength and toughness has attracted the interest of the manufacturers of ceramic

3. implant material. It has been claimed that composites made with such nanoscale reinforcing
materials as nanotubes, platelets, and nanofibers would have exceptional properties. It has
been shown that a possible path to combining high strength and toughness in a ceramic
material is to take advantage of the transformation toughening mechanisms in nanozirconia-
alumina materials. Alumina-zirconia nanocomposites with relatively low zirconia content
(below the percolation limit, ~16 vol%) exhibit similar hardness values to alumina and are
not susceptible to the hydrothermal instability. It offer an example of how nanotechnology
offers an attractive path to the development of new implant materials but ceramics, even
nanocomposite ceramics, will not replicate the unique combinations of mechanical properties
of tooth tissues as they are, for example, much stiffer and wear-resistant. 4, 5
Conclusion
Nanotechnology will modify the dentistry, healthcare and human life more than any other
developments of the past. Nanotechnology also holds promise for advanced diagnostics,
targeted drug delivery making health care more effective and affordable. In the long-term,
medical and dental nanorobots will allow instant pathogen diagnosis and expulsion,
individualized cell surgeries in vivo, and improvement of natural physiological functions.
References
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