Nanoparticles for endodontic disinfection

Abstract

The widespread recognition of microbial biofilm as the contributory factor for human infection and constant increase in antimicrobial resistance warrants the discovery of a reliable and effective antimicrobial strategy to combat infectious diseases. Treatment of infected root canals presents with a major challenge of bacterial persistence after treatment. Use of various antibacterial nanoparticles presents as a potential treatment strategy to improve the elimination of biofilm bacteria from the root canal system. Nanoparticles have been developed to improve the root canal disinfection as well as to seal the canal space during root canal treatment. For effective therapeutic effect with nanoparticles, information about the effectiveness of treatment, location of infection, and delivery efficiency of nanoparticles should be well understood. This chapter discusses the current limitations in achieving effective root canal disinfection followed by examples of different nanoparticles that are being developed and tested for this purpose.