Nano Aeon: Looming Phase in Medical Dentistry- Prospects for the Future (Letter to the editor)

The advancement of science is leading humanity to a new aeon: the era of nanotechnology. In simple terms, it refers to the technology exercised on materials at molecular level (less than 100 nanometers) (1). Foundation stone of this looming phase in dentistry was laid by Richard Feynman in 1959, a noble prize winning physicist (1). Nanotechnology has brought upon exorbitant changes in all perspectives of health care and dentistry is no exception. There is apprizing sanguineness that nanotechnology applied to medicine and dentistry will bring portentous advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. Nanotechnology has immense potential, but social affairs of public acquiescence, ethics, regulation, and human safety must be contemplated before molecular nanotechnology can be seen as the feasibility of rendering high quality dental care to the community. Nanodentistry is a transpiring field with impelling potential, which will yield a new era of technologically advanced clinical tools and devices for oral healthcare. It will make possible the sustenance of impeccable oral health by employing nanomaterials, tissue engineering, and dental nanorobots (1). Engineered bio materials can prove to be a boon to the future patients who seek dental and medical care. Despite the advancement and awareness related to oral care, many patients still have the phobia of dental manoeuvres. Primary element behind the patients in averting the dental visit is pertinent to fear of pain and needle (2). Who does not fear for a needle injection? The later question could be removed from dental history by the application of nano anaesthesia in near future. It totally eradicates the phobia by rendering an anxiety free and needless injection, thereby comforting the patient. Nanodental techniques implicate many tissue engineering procedures for major tooth overhaul (1). Nanorobots produce and deliver a homologous unabridged tooth that colligates both mineral and cellular components which aids to replete the tooth restoration in short duration (1). Pain intensity is comparatively more in a hypertensive tooth on par with the natural one, by virtue of affected dentinal tubules. Dental nanorobots could judiciously and accurately impede distinctive tubules within minutes, rendering patients a prompt and enduring treatment (1). Orthodontic nanorobots could directly manoeuvre the periodontal tissues allowing expeditious and painless tooth straightening, rotating and vertical repositioning within short period of time. This application would eradicate the ponderous use of braces in patients (1). Nanotechnology might provide novel strategies in preventive dentistry, particularly in control and management of bacterial bio films or demineralization of sub-micrometresized tooth decay (1). Traditional application of fluoride toothpastes have been conquered by the nanotech tooth pastes, by virtue of incorporating hydroxyapatites (3). With such efficiency, any teeth could be protected from caries using nano technology. Periodontal disease is one of the maAr ch ive f S ID