Nanotechnology and Its Application in Dentistry: A Systematic Review of Recent Advances and Innovations

Background: This study looks at the clinical applications of nanotechnology in dentistry, with an emphasis on implantology, preventive care, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and endodontics. Methods: Following PRISMA criteria and registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD 564245), a PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science search was conducted for studies from January 2014 to April 2024. The criteria were English-language research on nanotechnology in dental coatings, with a focus on clinical trials and observational studies. The electronic database search yielded 8881 publications. Following the screening process, 17 records were selected for qualitative analysis. Results: Nanotechnology has revolutionized dentistry. In orthodontics, nanoparticles improve antibacterial characteristics, durability, and biocompatibility, lowering bacterial colonization and plaque. In preventative care, Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) combined with stannous fluoride (SnF2) and nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate (TMPnano) substantially remineralizes enamel. Nanostructured surfaces in dental implants, particularly those containing calcium, improve osseointegration and stability. Nanoparticles in restorative dentistry improve composite and adhesive strength, aesthetics, and longevity. Conclusions: Nanotechnology improves dental materials and equipment, resulting in better treatment outcomes and increased patient comfort. Its integration provides more effective treatments, which improves dental care and patient outcomes. More research is needed to overcome present problems and expand nanotechnology's medicinal applications.

Effect of Commercial Mouth Rinses on Physical Properties of Conventional and Bulk-fill Resin Composites

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of commercial mouth rinses on color, roughness, sorption (SR), and solubility (SL) of resin composites.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Disc-shaped specimens (stage I: 6 mm × 2 mm; stage II: 10 mm × 1.5 mm) were made from the following resin composites (n=10): conventional nanofilled (Filtek Z350XT, 3M Oral Care), conventional nanohybrid (Luna, SDI), bulk-fill nanofilled (Filtek One Bulk-Fill, 3M Oral Care), and bulk-fill nanohybrid (Aura Bulk-Fill, SDI) exposed to distilled water (control), blue mouth rinse without alcohol (Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint, Colgate-Palmolive), or blue mouth rinse with alcohol and essential oil (Listerine Tartar Control, Johnson & Johnson). In stage I, tests were performed at the baseline, and after the immersion in solution time points to evaluate coordinates of the CIEL*a*b* system (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*), general color change (ΔEab, ΔE00, and ΔSGU), and surface roughness (Ra). In stage II, SR and SL were evaluated (ISO 4049:2019) after immersion in the solutions for 7 days. The results were evaluated by generalized linear models (Ra, SR), Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests (color, SL), with α = 0.05.

RESULTS

There were no significative differences for Ra between the solutions. Both mouth rinses promoted significantly negative ΔL* (Luna), Δa* (Filtek One Bulk-fill), and Δb* (all materials except conventional nanofilled resin composite). Mouth rinse without alcohol promoted significantly negative Δa* on all resin composites tested. Both mouth rinses promoted higher ΔEab and ΔE00 for bulk-fill resin composites compared to control. Mouth rinse with alcohol caused higher ΔSGU for bulk-fill nanofilled resin composite. It also promoted greater SR in all the resin composites compared with mouth rinse without alcohol and higher SR in nanohybrid resin composites compared with control. Both mouth rinses promoted higher SL values in Luna and differed significantly from control.

CONCLUSIONS

The physical properties were manufacturer dependent and mediated by mouth rinses. The mouth rinses promoted color changes in the resin composites, pointing out that bulk-fill resin composites were more affected by these effects, especially when the mouth rinse contained essential oil and alcohol.

Resin-Based Composites for Direct and Indirect Restorations: Clinical Applications, Recent Advances, and Future Trends

Continuous advancements in resin-based composites can make selection of the appropriate system a daunting task for the clinician. This review aims to simplify this process and clarify some new or controversial topics. Various types of composites for direct and indirect applications are discussed, including microfilled and microhybrid composites, nanocomposites, single shade, bulk fill, fiber-reinforced, high temperature/high pressure processed, CAD/CAM, and three-dimensional printable composites. Recent material advancements that lead to improved seal and toughness, degradation resistance, antimicrobial and self-healing capabilities are presented. Future directions are highlighted, such as the development of "smart" materials that are able to interact with the host environment.

Implementation in restorative treatments in public health: a 10-year analysis of resin composite procurement in Brazil

This study aims to assess the resin composite purchases in a public health system and understand the variables associated with its cost and with the decision-making process over a period of 10 years. Secondary data collection was performed using the Brazilian Healthcare Prices Database (BDHP) from 2010 to 2019. All conventional and bulk-fill composites were selected. Date of purchase, institution type and location, procurement modality, number of purchased items, manufacture, and unit prices were collected. A multiple linear regression model assessed the influence of price in the procurement variables, while a multinomial logistic regression compared purchase probabilities between the materials. In total, 18,138 observations were collected with 2,129,294 purchased units and a total cost of USD 43,504,260.00. Conventional composites appeared in 98.5% of the procurement process. Nanofilled conventional composites were the most purchased materials, with an increased probability of purchase over time, despite its higher prices. An increase in prices was predicted for bulk-fill materials when compared to conventional ones. The odds of purchasing this category increased by 3.14x for every price increase over the years. Sociodemographic and type of institution influences the prices and the probability of procurement in the healthcare system. Nanofilled and bulk-fill resin are increasingly included in clinical practice. These findings highlight possible modifications to the standard-of-care in restorative treatments and how the translation of knowledge may occur from the development of new materials to the clinical application considering the economic impact of these modifications.

Spectrophotometric evaluation of staining of different types of light-cure composite resins after exposure with different light-cure intensities: An in vitro study

Context

Relation between the adequate intensity output of curing lights on color stability of composite resin is well accepted.

Aims

To investigate the effect of different light-curing intensities and its relation to color stability of different polymerized composite resin materials using the spectophotometric analysis.

Settings and Design

Comparative in vitro study done on composite resin discs.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 180 discs comprising sixty discs prepared from three different composite resins, namely microhybrid composite resin (Filtek Z100,3M ESPE), nanohybrid composite resin (Filtek Z250 XT, 3M ESPE), and nanofilled composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT,3M ESPE) using three different light curing intensities, viz., 325-425 mW/cm², 750-850 mW/cm², and 1000-1100 mW/cm². Later these discs were stained with 2% methylene blue followed by re-absorption in absolute alcohol for supernatant solution preparation which is used for the spectrophotometric analysis.

Statistical Analysis Used

Spectrophotometric absorption values were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test for intergroup analysis.

Results

Mean stain absorption was the highest with nanofilled composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT,3M ESPE) after exposure with light-curing intensity of 325-425 mW/cm² and least with microhybrid composite resin (Filtek Z100, 3M ESPE) after exposure with light-curing intensity of 750-850 mW/cm² and this difference found was highly significant statistically (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Microhybrid composite resin (Filtek Z100, 3M ESPE) cured with intensity of 750-850 mW/cm² showed least stain absorption indication most color stability and esthetic function.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

This comprehensive review of the 2018 dental literature is provided to inform busy dentists about progress in the profession. Developed by the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, each author brings discipline-specific expertise to one of the 8 sections of the report including (1) prosthodontics; (2) periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; (3) implant dentistry; (4) dental materials and therapeutics; (5) occlusion and temporomandibular disorders; (6) sleep-related breathing disorders; (7) oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and (8) dental caries and cariology. The report targets important information that will likely influence day-to-day treatment decisions. Each review is not intended to stand alone but to update interested readers so that they may visit source materials if greater detail is desired. As the profession continues its march toward evidence-based clinical decision-making, an already voluminous library of potentially valuable dental literature continues to grow. It is the intention of this review and its authors to provide assistance in navigating the extensive dental literature published in 2018. It is our hope that readers find this work useful in the clinical management of patients moving forward.