Smart Dental Materials and their Antimicrobial Applications: An Updated Review

Abstract

Background: Dental materials are crucial for treating and improving oral health as teeth have limited regenerative capabilities. The structure of enamel and dentin poses challenges in oral health restoration, and traditional materials such as resin composites and colloidal nanoparticles have been explored for their regenerative potential. Despite advances, common oral diseases, including dental caries, remain widespread due to factors like bacterial infection. Additionally, the oral cavity presents a harsh environment for dental materials, where acids from bacteria can cause degradation. The ideal dental material should resist infection, promote remineralization, and regenerate dental tissues.

Aim: This review aims to explore the design and applications of smart dental materials, particularly their antimicrobial capabilities, in addressing oral health challenges. These materials include bioactive, bioresponsive, and autonomous biomaterials that can respond to environmental stimuli to enhance treatment outcomes.

Methods: The review examines various dental materials, categorized by their “smartness,” including bioinert, bioactive, bioresponsive, and autonomous. It discusses their use in antimicrobial therapy, specifically for the prevention and treatment of oral infections such as dental caries and periodontitis. Key materials and mechanisms, including antimicrobial agents such as silver and nanoparticles, are highlighted, along with innovative strategies for their delivery.

Results: Smart dental materials exhibit diverse functionalities, such as pathogen eradication and biofilm disruption. The integration of antimicrobial agents into dental materials allows for sophisticated delivery mechanisms that can release therapeutic compounds in response to environmental stimuli. For example, nanoparticles incorporated with agents like myricetin and farnesol offer enhanced biofilm control, targeting specific pathogens like Streptococcus mutans.

Conclusion: The development of smart dental materials represents a promising frontier in oral health. These materials offer more effective and sustainable solutions for preventing and treating infections, reducing the risk of restoration failure, and promoting tissue regeneration. However, further research is needed to fully realize their potential in clinical settings.