Annals and Essences of Dentistry
Open Access

Abstract

NANO COMPOSITES

Sridhar Reddy M

Nanotechnology was first described in 1959 by physicist Richard P Feynman, who viewed it as an unavoidable development in the progress of science, and has since been part of mainstream scientific theory with potential medical and dental applications since the early 1990s. Nanotechnology’s most tangible contribution to dentistry to date has been the restoration of tooth structure with Nanocomposites. Nanocomposites are characterized by filler-particle sizes of <= 100 nm, which offer these materials aesthetic and strength advantages over conventional microfilled and hybrid resin-based composite (RBC) systems. They offer advantages primarily in terms of the smoothness, polishability and precision of shade characterization, notwithstanding the flexural strength and microhardness they offer similar to those of the better-performing posterior RBCs. The strength and aesthetic properties of the resin based Nanocomposite makes it possible for it to be used for both anterior and posterior restorations. This article aims to address the current major uses of practical nanotechnology in dentistry, mainly the restoration of tooth structure with RBCs that make use of nanoparticles.