Nanotechnology In Dentistry

Nanomaterials are those materials with componentsless than 100 nm in at least one dimension, includingclusters of atoms, grains less than 100 nm in size,fibers that are less than 100 nm diameter, films lessthan 100 nm in thickness, nanoholes, and compositesthat are a combination of these. The compositioncan be any combination of naturally occurring elements.Because nanoparticles have significant surfaceeffects, size effects, and quantum effects,nanocomposites usually exhibit much better performanceproperties than traditional materials. Theimproved relevant properties include enhancedtoughness, stiffness, improved transparency, increasedscratch, abrasion, solvent and heat resistance,and decreased gas permeability. In addition,nanoparticles have special properties, includingchemical, optical, magnetic, and electro-opticalproperties, which differ from those of either individualmolecules or bulk species. These significantproperties of nanoparticles meet the intriguingdemand to design multifunctional nanocompositefilms, which cover properties of both inorganic andorganic materials and exhibit immense prospectsfor developing light-emitting diodes, nonlinear opticaldevices, resistors, sensors, electrically conductivefilms, and gas separation membranes. In the field of periodontics, Nanotechnonlogy has been used primarily to disrupt the biofilm, in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, as local drug delivery agents,bone replacement materials,in photodynamic therapy,as scaffolds in tissue engineering and in dental implants and the results were promising when compared to conventional therapies.