Abstract
New therapeutic approaches benefit from recent advances in stem cell biology and material sciences. The combination of stem cells with sophisticated nano-structured materials and scaffolds is increasingly beneficial in all areas of regenerative medicine. Nanotechnology offers a plethora of exciting perspectives to regenerative dentistry, and combined with tissue engineering and stem cell biology might provide novel techniques for dental tissue regeneration. This chapter highlights various applications of nanotechnology in current dentistry, ranging from diagnostics to dental materials. Dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) were found in the dental pulp of human permanent and exfoliated deciduous teeth. In clinical practice, damaged dental tissues are usually substituted with artificial materials. The use of nanotechnology in products of oral health that may prevent dental caries, enamel erosion, and dentin hypersensitivity is of increasing interest. Dental implant therapy constitutes a common and successful treatment for the replacement of missing teeth.
Mitsiadis, Thimios A