Clinical implications of calcifying nanoparticles in dental diseases: a critical review

Abstract

Background Unknown cell-culture contaminants were described by Kajander and Ciftçioğlu in 1998. These contaminants were called nanobacteria initially and later calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs). Their exact nature is unclear and controversial. CNPs have unique and unusual characteristics, which preclude placing them into any established evolutionary branch of life. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to assess published data concerning CNPs since 1998 in general and in relation to dental diseases in particular. Materials and methods The National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) electronic and manual searches were conducted. Nanobacteria and calcifying nanoparticles were used as keywords. The search yielded 135 full-length papers. Further screening of the titles and abstracts that followed the review criteria resulted in 43 papers that met the study aim. Conclusion The review showed that the existence of nanobacteria is still controversial. Some investigators have described a possible involvement of CNPs in pulpal and salivary gland calcifications, as well as the possible therapeutic use of CNPs in the treatment of cracked and/or eroded teeth.

What are the nanobacteria?

“…[65,66] Others authors proposed that a gelatinous synthetic mix (free fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions and CNPs) could be applied on a cracked tooth surface, therapeutically, in order to limit the further propagation of the crack deeper into the dentin. [2,67] Although nanobacteria were mainly detected in pathological calcifying processes in organ diseases, the literature revealed that nanobacteria infection could also be present in healthy adults. [7,68] All these data lead to the assumption that nanobacteria may be included in the resident microflora of the host, conjecturing that they may be opportunistic organisms and may not always be harmful agents to the human body.…”

“…[1] There are significant reports in the literature that correlate with CNPs in numerous human diseases and conditions with pathological calcifications in human organs, such as dental pulp, salivary glands, kidneys and arteries. [2] The possible role of nanobacteria in the periodontal disease was first proposed based on association between the oral hygiene and the incidence of the cardiovascular disease, which was probably mediated via the oral infection inflammation pathways.…”

Spotlight on the Association Between Nanobacteria and Some Human Diseases

“…The first investigated study is its role in kidney stone formation with the risk of nephrolithiasis ( . In the literature, many studies and reports correlate the presence of nanobacteria with human diseases and conditions with pathological calcifications in human organs such as salivary glands, dental pulp, kidneys, cataracts eyes, and arteries (Alenazy & Mosadomi, 2014). Evidence shows that nanobacteria may take part in pathological calcifying forms of the blood vessels, even without their calcified shells (Schwartz et al, 2008).…”

Characterization of pulp calcifications and changes in their composition after treatments with citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solutions

“…Calcifications may occlude the pulp chamber and complicate root canal treatment (Bonilla‐Represa et al, 2021; Gabardo et al, 2020; Pietrzycka & Pawlicka, 2020). There are multiple factors related to its appearance, such as the natural aging process, the presence of infections and identification of nanoparticles and nanobacteria (caries and periodontal disease), a response to injuries (traumatic occlusion and orthodontic movement), therapeutic or iatrogenic processes (pulp coatings, dental preparation, revascularization in immature teeth) or genetic causes (Alenazy & Mosadomi, 2013; Bonilla‐Represa et al, 2021; Chen et al, 2020; Gabardo et al, 2020; McCabe & Dummer, 2012; Moura et al, 2017; Movahhedian et al, 2018; Song et al, 2017; Tarim Ertas et al, 2017; Tassoker, 2018).…”