Therapeutic applications of nanotechnology in dentistry:Nanostructures for Oral Medicine

Nanotechnology brings emerging changes in translational research in last couple of decades. This evidence reflects from Science Citation Index [PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases] using the keyword "nanotechnology" reveals 53,117 articles published from 1978 to 2015. Nanomaterials have gained popularity for countless applications in various fields, including clinical dentistry. In dentistry, nanotechnology has revolutionized the materials interaction and behavior with oral structures, such as antibacterial dental adhesive, nanoparticles-based aesthetic restorative materials, surface decoration on dental implants, high strength denture bases.Better understanding of materials and oral tissues interface at nanoscale has attracted many researches for therapeutic dental applications, such as fluoride release, drug delivery. The major aim of the proposed chapter highlights recent developments regarding therapeutic applications of nanomaterials in dentistry. In addition, chemistry, synthesis, properties, and benefits of therapeutic nanomaterials over conventional materials in relation to dentistry are discussed. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved