Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
2
Nanotechnology and
Nanobiomaterials in Dentistry
Seyed Shahabeddin Mirsasaani
a
,
b
, Mehran Hemati
a
,
c
, Tina Tavasoli
d
,
Ehsan Sadeghian Dehkord
a
, Golnaz Talebian Yazdi
a
and Danesh Arshadi Poshtiri
b
a
Biomaterials Group, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering (Center of Excellence),
Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
b
Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
c
Dental School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
d
Biotechnology Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
CHAPTER OUTLINE
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 17
2.2 Nanoscale materials ...................................................................................................................... 18
2.2.1 Nanoparticles............................................................................................................. 20
2.2.2 Characterization ......................................................................................................... 20
2.2.3 Nanofibers .................................................................................................................21
2.3 Nanodentistry ................................................................................................................................ 21
2.4 Nanobiomaterials in dentistry ......................................................................................................... 21
2.5 Nanobiomaterials in preventive dentistry ......................................................................................... 22
2.6 Nanobiomaterials in restorative dentistry......................................................................................... 25
2.6.1 Dental nanocomposites ............................................................................................... 25
2.6.2 Silver nanoparticles in restorative dental materials ........................................................ 29
2.7 Nanocomposites in bone regeneration............................................................................................. 29
2.8 Conclusions................................................................................................................................... 30
References ........................................................................................................................................... 30
2.1
Introduction
Humans have been using nanotechnology for a long time without realizing it. The processes of
making steel, vulcanizing rubber, and sharpening a razor all rely on manipulations of nanoparticles.
The term “nanotechnology” was coined by Prof. Eric Drexler, a lecturer and researcher of nano-
technology. “Nano” is derived from the Greek word for “dwarf.” Nanotechnology is an umbrella
term that encompasses all fields of science that operate on the nanoscale. A nanometer is one
