Biomaterials in Caries Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most widespread diseases in humans and has become a heavy economic burden. Tremendous progress aiming at improving the clinical performance of dental composite has been made in the past decades but secondary caries still remains a main problematic issue in composite restoration failure. Recently, some novel biomaterials have been developed in caries prevention and treatment and showed broad prospects of application. Nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) and CaF 2 were synthesized and could release calcium/phosphate and fluoride ions, contributing to remineralize tooth lesions and neutralize acids. Biomineralization agents, PAMAM, could mimic the natural mineralization process of dental hard tissues. Quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs) were identified to be effective against dental biofilms. These biomaterials are promising for incorporation into dental composite in preventive and restorative dentistry, thus improving the efficacy and success rate in caries prevention and treatment.