Nanomaterials Application in Orthodontics

Abstract

Nanotechnology has gained importance in recent years due to its ability to enhance material properties, including antimicrobial characteristics. Nanotechnology is applicable in various aspects of orthodontics. This scientific work focuses on the concept of nanotechnology and its applications in the field of orthodontics, including, among others, enhancement of antimicrobial characteristics of orthodontic resins, leading to reduction of enamel demineralization or control of friction force during orthodontic movement. The latter one enables effective orthodontic treatment while using less force. Emphasis is put on antimicrobial and mechanical characteristics of nanomaterials during orthodontic treatment. The manuscript sums up the current knowledge about nanomaterials’ influence on orthodontic appliances.

Emergence of Nano-Dentistry as a Reality of Contemporary Dentistry

“…Nanopigments adjust the shade of the restoration to the surrounding teeth (chameleon effect). Nanomodifiers increase the stability (non-slump) of the material and prevent sticking to instruments [93].…”

Patellar Tendinopathy: Critical Analysis Review of Current Nonoperative Treatments

“…Stem cells are a group of undifferentiated cells that are characterized by the ability to proliferate extensively into various types of cells and tissue 45 . Currently, stem cells may be classified into 5 different groups: totipotent stem cells, which can divide into any cell composing the organism; pluripotent stem cells, which form all germ layer cells; multipotent stem cells, which can divide into specific cell lineages; oligopotent stem cells, which can differentiate into many different cell types; and unipotent stem cells, which are able to form only 1 type of cell 46 . Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of multipotent stem cell that has been proposed as a therapeutic treatment in the management of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including patellar tendinopathy [47][48][49] .…”

Nanostructures as Targeted Therapeutics for Combating Oral Bacterial Diseases

“…After orthodontic therapies with fixed appliances, there are significant increases in the amounts of cariogenic bacteria and biofilm formation [51]. Adding NPs to the orthodontic adhesives can reduce the frictional force be-tween the orthodontic bracket and wire, improve the antimicrobial properties, and prevent enamel demineralization during orthodontic treatment [52].…”