Enhancing Caries Preventive Effects of Nanomaterials with Phototherapy: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the types, properties, and potential applications of nanomaterials in phototherapy for caries prevention. This scoping review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Two researchers independently searched English-language publications in Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science on 25 February 2025. Publications that reported nanomaterials in phototherapy for caries prevention are included. They screened 229 publications and included 38 publications. These 38 publications were categorised into three groups: nanomaterials in photodynamic therapy (25/38, 66%), nanomaterials in photothermal therapy (9/38, 24%), and nanomaterials in combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy (4/38, 10%). Nanomaterials in photodynamic therapy generate reactive oxygen species under light, causing oxidative damage that kills microbes. In photothermal therapy, nanomaterials convert light energy into heat, inducing protein denaturation and membrane rupture, which eliminate microbes. These nanomaterials were incorporated into dental materials like adhesives and topical anti-caries agents. Among the 38 publications, 29 were laboratory studies, 8 were animal studies, and 1 was a human trial. Studies showed that some nanomaterials inhibit cariogenic microbes under light. However, most of the studies were laboratory or animal studies. More human trials are essential to translate their use into clinical care. This review underscores the potential of nanomaterials in phototherapy—leveraging photodynamic and photothermal mechanisms to eliminate caries-causing microbes—as a promising, minimally invasive strategy for caries prevention.