Oral biofilms attach onto both teeth surfaces and dental material surfaces in oral cavities. In the meantime, oral biofilms are not only the pathogenesis of dental caries and periodontitis, but also secondary caries and peri-implantitis, which would lead to the failure of clinical treatments. The material surfaces exposed to oral conditions can influence pellicle coating, initial bacterial adhesion, and biofilm formation, due to their specific physical and chemical characteristics. To define the effect of physical and chemical characteristics of dental prosthesis and restorative material on oral biofilms, we discuss resin-based composites, glass ionomer cements, amalgams, dental alloys, ceramic, and dental implant material surface properties. In conclusion, each particular chemical composition (organic matrix, inorganic filler, fluoride, and various metallic ions) can enhance or inhibit biofilm formation. Irregular topography and rough surfaces provide favorable interface for bacterial colonization, protecting bacteria against shear forces during their initial reversible binding and biofilm formation. Moreover, the surface free energy, hydrophobicity, and surface-coating techniques, also have a significant influence on oral biofilms. However, controversies still exist in the current research for the different methods and models applied. In addition, more in situ studies are needed to clarify the role and mechanism of each surface parameter on oral biofilm development.

Insufficient oxygen supply (hypoxia), short half-life (<40 ns) of singlet oxygen, and up-regulation of the heat shock protein expression in solid tumors impede the photodynamic and photothermal therapeutic efficacy. Herein, a near-infrared carrier-free nanoconjugate directacting antiviral (DAA) with synergistic antivascular activity and pH-responsive photodynamic/photothermal behavior was designed and synthesized to improve cancer treatment efficacy. Obtained by the self-assembly approach, the biocompatible DAA nanoparticles (NPs) displayed amplifying pH-responsive photodynamic/photothermal performance in an acidic tumor microenvironment due to the protonation of diethylaminophenyl units. Most important, the antivascular agent 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid, targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor, can be smartly released from the pro-drug DAA via ester bond hydrolysis at the subacid endocytosis organelles in the endothelial cells, which can effectively destroy the vascular region to prevent tumor proliferation and metastasis. Hence, DAA NPs can specifically target vascular endothelial cells and tumorous lysosomes with desired cellular damage properties in vitro. Therefore, the tumors can be ablated completely with no recurrence and side effects in vivo, which implies that DAA NPs provide a promising approach for cancer treatment via synergistic antivascular activity and photodynamic/photothermal therapy.

An intelligent multifunctional nano-platform responsive to the tumor microenvironment was established, which showed NO controllable “on–off” release and enhanced photodynamic/photothermal synergistic cancer therapy.

Dental composites are comprised of a polymerizable matrix and reinforcing fillers that can be hardened into a solid restoration in the prepared tooth cavity. Composites are becoming increasingly popular due to their esthetics and improved mechanical and physical properties. However, dental composites still encounter several problems, mainly secondary (recurrent) caries, restoration fracture, excessive wear, marginal degradation, and tooth sensitivity. Therefore, extensive efforts are underway to improve the composite compositions and microstructure, and enhance their clinical performance and longevity. Relying on advances in materials science and technology, dental composites have been continuously improved and their clinical applications have been expanded. In this review article, the development of dental composites was summarized, including compositional changes, performance improvements in key areas, current research hot spots, and outlook for future direction. The intention is to provide a review of the history and development of dental composites with a discussion of strategies on addressing the current challenges facing dental composites. In addition, this review will provide a better understanding of dental composites and their properties for the practicing clinicians, to contribute to improving the quality of composite restorations. The review of literature indicates that while current composites are generally bio‐inert and can replace the missing tooth structure, future composites should be bioactive and therapeutic to inhibit caries, modulate biofilms, and protect the surrounding tooth structures, in order to increase the restoration longevity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48180.

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Herein, persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) and photosensitizer are integrated for cancer theranostics with high specificity and without the need of continuous illumination. Specifically, ZnGa1.996O4:Cr0.004 (PLNPs) and IR780 (photosensitizer) are encapsulated by a temperature‐responsive “wax‐seal” composed of oleic acid and hexadecanol. The seal prevents luminescence quenching and premature initiation of photodynamic therapy (PDT), until it is melted down by heat stimulus. After photothermal activation, the near‐infrared afterglow offered by PLNPs provides imaging with high signal‐to‐background ratio because of the absence of tissue autofluorescence, as well as continuously excited photosensitizer for reactive oxygen species generation. Such theranostic nanoplatform offers multimodal imaging–guided localized cancer PDT.

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