Advanced Nanomaterials: Promises for Improved Dental Tissue Regeneration

A. Kishen (ed.), Nanotechnology in Endodontics: Current and Potential Clinical Applications, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-13575-5_2, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 Abstract Nanotechnology is emerging as an interdisciplinary fi eld that is undergoing rapid development and has become a powerful tool for various biomedical applications such as tissue regeneration, drug delivery, biosensors, gene transfection, and imaging. Nanomaterialbased design is able to mimic some of the mechanical and structural properties of native tissue and can promote biointegration. Ceramic-, metal-, and carbon-based nanoparticles possess unique physical, chemical, and biological characteristics due to the high surfaceto-volume ratio. A range of synthetic nanoparticles such as hydroxyapatite, bioglass, titanium, zirconia, and silver nanoparticles are proposed for dental restoration due to their unique bioactive characteristic. This review focuses on the most recent development in the fi eld of nanomaterials with emphasis on dental tissue engineering that provides an inspiration for the development of such advanced biomaterials. In particular, we discuss synthesis and fabrication of bioactive nanomaterials, examine their current limitations, and conclude with future directions in designing more advanced nanomaterials.