Aloe Vera in Dentistry: A Review

Abstract

Aloe Vera is a tender and succulent type of plant belonging to the Liliaceae family and genus Aloe. It has been used as a medicinal plant for its healing and soothing properties for more than 2000 years. Properties of the Aloe Vera are not only specie dependent but also on how it is handled after being collected. Due to the adverse effects associated with conventional drugs, researchers are again interested in pursuing plant-based therapies for diseases. Aloe Vera possesses number of beneficial ingredients whilst some studies have also reported its potentially harmful effects. Presence of Aloe Vera in the scaffold material increases viability of the regenerating cells. It is crucial to understand how Aloe Vera interacts with the human body and its physiology when used for dental diseases and discomforts. Components like anthraquinones, aloe-emodin, and aloin present in the Aloe Vera leaves are responsible for their strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Therefore, this article reviews the current literature related to Aloe Vera use as a replacement or adjunctive therapy in dental diseases.