Smart Dentistry: Stepping into the Future

Till date, there has been no single material in dentistry that is idyllic in nature, which can satisfy all the necessities of a superlative material. As the search for an ―ideal restorative material‖ continues, newer group of materials were introduced. These are ―Smart Materials’’, as they support the remaining tooth structure to the level, so that more conservative cavity preparation can be performed. These materials may be improved in a precise manner by stimulus such as stress, temperature, moisture, pH, electric or magnetic field. Some of these are ―Biomimetic‖ in nature as their properties imitate the natural tooth constituent such as Enamel or Dentin. The existing dental materials were amended so as to make them smarter. Use of Smart materials has modernized dentistry which comprises the use of restorative materials such as Smart composites, Smart ceramics, Composers, Resin modified glass ionomer, Amorphous calcium phosphate releasing pit and fissure sealants, etc. and other materials such as Shape memory alloys, Smart impression material, Smart suture, Smart burs, etc., . This article highlights the use of Smart materials for achieving benefit by the conventional restorative procedures in dentistry.