Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
reducing pain associated with mucosal irritation caused by brackets [36] . It could be highly advan-
tageous to explore the local delivery of such therapeutic nanoparticles at the site of enamel decalci-
fication, biofilm formation, and gingivitis. As with all new technological applications, however, it
will also be important to carefully evaluate the rate of release of such nanoparticles, ingestion,
biocompatibility, and systemic toxicity level for these new nanotechnology-based applications.
11.6 Developing and future applications of nanotechnology in
dentistry and orthodontics
The future of nanotechnology in orthodontics has potential to develop in a number of additional
applications as well including (a) the use of tooth-colored, shape-memory polymers to esthetically
move teeth, (b) tooth movement using orthodontic nanobots that could directly manipulate peri-
odontal tissues allowing rapid and perhaps painless movement, dentifrobots (nanobots in denti-
frices) delivered through mouthwash or toothpaste to patrol supragingival and subgingival surfaces
performing continuous plaque/calculus removal and metabolizing trapped organic matter, and (c)
nanochanges on the surfaces of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to increase their retention but
still allow them to be removed when no longer needed.
11.6.1 The use of shape-memory polymer in orthodontics
Over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in producing esthetic orthodontic wires
to complement tooth colored brackets. Shape-memory esthetic polymer is an area of potential
research. These are a class of stimuli-responsive materials, which have the capacity to remember a
preprogrammed shape imprinted during the synthesis; can be reformed at a higher temperature to
impart a desired temporary shape; and recover their original shape when influenced by a stimulus,
such as heat, light, or magnetic field [37,38] . Applications of nanoparticles in shape-memory nano-
composite polymers can increase thermal conductivity of the polymers [39,40] . These wires can
also be made with clinically relevant levels of elastic stiffness. Once placed in the mouth, these
polymers can be activated by the body temperature or photoactive nanoparticles activated by light
and thus influence tooth movement. Future research directions in shape-memory nanocomposite
polymers to produce esthetic orthodontic wires can be of interesting potential
in orthodontic
biomaterial research.
11.6.2 BioMEMS/NEMS for orthodontic tooth movement and maxillary expansion
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are manufactured using similar microfabrication
techniques as those used to create integrated circuits. They often have moving components that
allow a physical or analytical function to be performed by the device in addition to their electrical
functions. The biological MEMS (bioMEMS) are made up of micromachined elements usually on
silicon substrates, including gears, motors, and actuators with linear and rotary motion for applica-
tions to biological systems. Implantable bioMEMS have been used as biosensors for in vivo diag-
nostics of diseases and as drug delivery microchips [41
43] . Nanoelectromechanical systems
(NEMS) are devices integrating electrical and mechanical functionality on the nanoscale level.
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