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Nanotechnology in Endodontics: A Contemporary Review
Corresponding Author(s) : Nivea
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025): 2025 Volume -13 - Issue 3
Abstract
Nanotechnology is revolutionizing the field of endodontics by providing advanced solutions to persistent clinical challenges, particularly in root canal disinfection, material enhancement, and regenerative procedures. Conventional endodontic techniques, though effective, often fail to fully eradicate microbial biofilms due to complex root canal anatomy. Nanoparticles, with their unique physicochemical properties and nanoscale dimensions (1–100 nm), offer improved penetration, increased surface reactivity, and targeted antimicrobial action. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), chitosan nanoparticles, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity by disrupting biofilms, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and improving therapeutic outcomes. Nano-enhanced irrigants and medicaments, such as nano-silver solutions and modified triple antibiotic pastes, demonstrate superior antimicrobial efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, nanoparticles integrated into obturation materials enhance sealing ability, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties, while nano-hydroxyapatite promotes remineralization. In regenerative endodontics, nanofibrous scaffolds and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems facilitate stem cell proliferation and controlled growth factor release. Diagnostic applications include quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles, improving imaging precision and treatment monitoring. Despite promising benefits, challenges such as cytotoxicity, lack of standardized protocols, and limited clinical trials remain. Continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to translate nanotechnology into routine endodontic practice.
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- Mitra S, Revathi R, Jain N, Prasad D. Nanotechnology in Dentistry: A Review. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2014;4(2):86–91.
- Kishen A. Nanotechnology in Endodontics: Current and Potential Clinical Applications. Int Endod J. 2015;48(10):1005–13.
- Shrestha A, Kishen A. Antibiofilm Efficacy of Photosensitizer-Functionalized Bioactive Nanoparticles on Multispecies Biofilm. J Endod. 2014;40(10):1604–10.
- Ingle JI, Bakland LK, Baumgartner JC. Ingle’s Endodontics. 7th ed. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc; 2019.
- Zehnder M. Root Canal Irrigants. J Endod. 2006;32(5):389–98.
- Ahamed M, AlSalhi MS, Siddiqui MK. Nanotoxicity: Physiological Effects of Nanoparticles. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2010;396(3):345–9.
- Estrela C, et al. Mechanism of Action of Sodium Hypochlorite. Braz Dent J. 2002;13(2):113–7.
- Morones JR, et al. The Bactericidal Effect of Silver Nanoparticles. Nanotechnology. 2005;16(10):2346–53.
- Divya K, Jisha MS. Chitosan Nanoparticles Preparation and Applications. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018;108:1489–99.
- Raghupathi KR, et al. Size-Dependent Bacterial Growth Inhibition and Mechanism of Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles. Langmuir. 2011;27(7):4020–8.
- de Almeida JF, et al. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nano-silver Solution in Root Canal Disinfection. J Appl Oral Sci. 2014;22(6):505–13.
- Wu D, et al. Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015;10:453–62.
- Rai M, et al. Silver Nanoparticles as a New Generation of Antimicrobials. Biotechnol Adv. 2009;27(1):76–83.
- Zhang W, et al. Assessment of a New Root Canal Sealer's Apical Sealing Ability. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2009;107(6):e79–82.
- Candeiro GTM, et al. Evaluation of Radiopacity, pH, Release of Calcium Ions, and Flow of a Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer. J Endod. 2012;38(6):842–5.
- Bohner M. Resorbable Biomaterials as Bone Graft Substitutes. Mater Today. 2010;13(1–2):24–30.
- Bottino MC, et al. Preparation and Characterization of Cell-Free and Cell-Seeded Polymeric Scaffolds for Endodontic Regeneration. J Endod. 2013;39(6):693–701.
- Ruparel NB, et al. Direct Effect of Intracanal Medicaments on Survival of Stem Cells of the Apical Papilla. J Endod. 2012;38(10):1372–5.
- Chen FM, et al. Toward Delivery of Multiple Growth Factors in Tissue Engineering. Biomaterials. 2010;31(24):6279–308.
- Liu J, et al. Renal Clearable Inorganic Nanoparticles: A New Frontier of Bionanotechnology. Mater Today. 2013;16(12):477–86.
- Li CZ, et al. Electrochemical Detection of Dental Pathogens Using a Microfluidic Sensor. Biosens Bioelectron. 2010;25(12):2632–8.
- Oberdörster G, et al. Nanotoxicology: An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Studies of Ultrafine Particles. Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113(7):823–39.
- Bhardwaj A, et al. Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2010;29(3):301–8.
- Fadeel B, et al. Adverse Effects of Engineered Nanomaterials: Exposure, Toxicology, and Impact on Human Health. Amsterdam: Academic Press; 2012.
- Laurenti M, Cauda V. Engineered Nanoparticles for Endodontic Therapy. Materials (Basel). 2018;11(9):1704.
- Durán N, et al. Antibacterial Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Fungal Process on Textile Fabrics and Their Effect on Human Cells. Nanomedicine. 2007;3(1):95–101.
- Peters OA, et al. A Micro–CT Evaluation of Root Canal Preparation Using a Novel Instrumentation Concept. Int Endod J. 2010;43(3):185–93.
- Kishen A. Advanced Therapeutic Materials for Endodontic Disinfection. Int Endod J. 2010;43(7):547–59.
- Shrestha A, et al. Nanoparticle-Enabled Disinfection of Dental Biofilm. J Dent Res. 2013;92(10):932–8.
References
Mitra S, Revathi R, Jain N, Prasad D. Nanotechnology in Dentistry: A Review. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2014;4(2):86–91.
Kishen A. Nanotechnology in Endodontics: Current and Potential Clinical Applications. Int Endod J. 2015;48(10):1005–13.
Shrestha A, Kishen A. Antibiofilm Efficacy of Photosensitizer-Functionalized Bioactive Nanoparticles on Multispecies Biofilm. J Endod. 2014;40(10):1604–10.
Ingle JI, Bakland LK, Baumgartner JC. Ingle’s Endodontics. 7th ed. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc; 2019.
Zehnder M. Root Canal Irrigants. J Endod. 2006;32(5):389–98.
Ahamed M, AlSalhi MS, Siddiqui MK. Nanotoxicity: Physiological Effects of Nanoparticles. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2010;396(3):345–9.
Estrela C, et al. Mechanism of Action of Sodium Hypochlorite. Braz Dent J. 2002;13(2):113–7.
Morones JR, et al. The Bactericidal Effect of Silver Nanoparticles. Nanotechnology. 2005;16(10):2346–53.
Divya K, Jisha MS. Chitosan Nanoparticles Preparation and Applications. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018;108:1489–99.
Raghupathi KR, et al. Size-Dependent Bacterial Growth Inhibition and Mechanism of Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles. Langmuir. 2011;27(7):4020–8.
de Almeida JF, et al. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nano-silver Solution in Root Canal Disinfection. J Appl Oral Sci. 2014;22(6):505–13.
Wu D, et al. Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015;10:453–62.
Rai M, et al. Silver Nanoparticles as a New Generation of Antimicrobials. Biotechnol Adv. 2009;27(1):76–83.
Zhang W, et al. Assessment of a New Root Canal Sealer's Apical Sealing Ability. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2009;107(6):e79–82.
Candeiro GTM, et al. Evaluation of Radiopacity, pH, Release of Calcium Ions, and Flow of a Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer. J Endod. 2012;38(6):842–5.
Bohner M. Resorbable Biomaterials as Bone Graft Substitutes. Mater Today. 2010;13(1–2):24–30.
Bottino MC, et al. Preparation and Characterization of Cell-Free and Cell-Seeded Polymeric Scaffolds for Endodontic Regeneration. J Endod. 2013;39(6):693–701.
Ruparel NB, et al. Direct Effect of Intracanal Medicaments on Survival of Stem Cells of the Apical Papilla. J Endod. 2012;38(10):1372–5.
Chen FM, et al. Toward Delivery of Multiple Growth Factors in Tissue Engineering. Biomaterials. 2010;31(24):6279–308.
Liu J, et al. Renal Clearable Inorganic Nanoparticles: A New Frontier of Bionanotechnology. Mater Today. 2013;16(12):477–86.
Li CZ, et al. Electrochemical Detection of Dental Pathogens Using a Microfluidic Sensor. Biosens Bioelectron. 2010;25(12):2632–8.
Oberdörster G, et al. Nanotoxicology: An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Studies of Ultrafine Particles. Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113(7):823–39.
Bhardwaj A, et al. Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2010;29(3):301–8.
Fadeel B, et al. Adverse Effects of Engineered Nanomaterials: Exposure, Toxicology, and Impact on Human Health. Amsterdam: Academic Press; 2012.
Laurenti M, Cauda V. Engineered Nanoparticles for Endodontic Therapy. Materials (Basel). 2018;11(9):1704.
Durán N, et al. Antibacterial Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Fungal Process on Textile Fabrics and Their Effect on Human Cells. Nanomedicine. 2007;3(1):95–101.
Peters OA, et al. A Micro–CT Evaluation of Root Canal Preparation Using a Novel Instrumentation Concept. Int Endod J. 2010;43(3):185–93.
Kishen A. Advanced Therapeutic Materials for Endodontic Disinfection. Int Endod J. 2010;43(7):547–59.
Shrestha A, et al. Nanoparticle-Enabled Disinfection of Dental Biofilm. J Dent Res. 2013;92(10):932–8.