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Yu K, Zhang Q, Dai Z, Zhu M, Xiao L, Zhao Z, Bai Y, Zhang K. Smart Dental Materials Intelligently Responding to Oral pH to Combat Caries: A Literature Review. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2611. [PMID: 37376255 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Smart dental materials are designed to intelligently respond to physiological changes and local environmental stimuli to protect the teeth and promote oral health. Dental plaque, or biofilms, can substantially reduce the local pH, causing demineralization that can then progress to tooth caries. Progress has been made recently in developing smart dental materials that possess antibacterial and remineralizing capabilities in response to local oral pH in order to suppress caries, promote mineralization, and protect tooth structures. This article reviews cutting-edge research on smart dental materials, their novel microstructural and chemical designs, physical and biological properties, antibiofilm and remineralizing capabilities, and mechanisms of being smart to respond to pH. In addition, this article discusses exciting and new developments, methods to further improve the smart materials, and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qinrou Zhang
- School of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Zixiang Dai
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Minjia Zhu
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Le Xiao
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zeqing Zhao
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yuxing Bai
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
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Abstract
Most dental materials are designed to have a relatively 'neutral' existence in the mouth. It is considered that if they are 'passive' and do not react with the oral environment they will be more stable and have a greater durability. At the same time, it is hoped that our materials will be well accepted and will cause neither harm nor injury. This is an entirely negative approach to material tolerance and biocompatibility and hides the possibility that some positive gains can be achieved by using materials which behave in a more dynamic fashion in the environment in which they are placed. An example of materials which have potential for 'dynamic' behaviour exists with structures which are partly water-based or have phases or zones with significant water content and for which the water within the material can react to changes in the ambient conditions. Such materials may even be said to have the potential for 'smart' behaviour, i.e. they can react to changes in the environment to bring about advantageous changes in properties, either within the material itself or in the material-tooth complex. The controlled movement of water or aqueous media through the material may cause changes in dimensions, may be the carrier for various dissolved species, and may influence the potential for the formation of biofilms at the surface. Some of these issues may be closely interrelated. Clearly, materials which do not have the capacity for water transport or storage do not have the potential for this sort of behaviour. Some materials which are normally resistant to the healthy oral environment can undergo controlled degradation at low pH in order to release ions which may prove beneficial or protective. It is doubtful whether such behaviour should be classified as 'smart' because the material cannot readily return to its original condition when the stimulus is removed. Other materials, such as certain alloys, having no means of transporting water through their structure, can display smart behaviour by undergoing predictable changes in structure in response to applied mechanical or thermal stimuli. It has been difficult to harness such behaviour to the benefit of patients but progress in this area is slowly being made.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F McCabe
- School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, United Kingdom.
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Degradation of polymeric restorative materials subjected to a high caries challenge. Dent Mater 2011; 27:244-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2010.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2009] [Revised: 04/10/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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