Applications of Nanotechnology in Dentistry and Cosmetic Industry

Abstract

The application of nanoparticles and nanoelectronic devices is a vast area of research in the medical field. This is with respect to the efficiency of nanoparticles to competently aim and pervade specific tissues within the body. Whereas nano electronic devices can perform real-time analysis of several parameters related to the disease condition. Medical devices and drug therapies at the nano level, eventually ensure a much higher level of precision in medicine. Therefore, the healthcare industry is leveraging this technology for diagnostics and nanomedicine. Various nanoscale devices are available that can monitor the disease condition of the body either in vivo or in vitro. Nanotechnology in dentistry has revolutionized the advancement of restorative materials. This chapter deliberates nanointerfaces that compromise the durability of dental restorations, and how nanotechnology has been utilized to adapt them for delivering long-term effective restorations. Recently, cosmetics have been immensely used with the development of innovative cosmetic formulations through the incorporation of the latest technologies. Nano cosmeceuticals is the name given to these products, which incorporate biologically active ingredients having therapeutic benefits on the surface applied. Using nanomaterials in devices makes it possible to enhance the mechanical strength and efficiency of the systems. They have high entrapment efficiency and good sensorial properties and are more stable than conventional cosmetics. Most of the nanoparticles are suitable for both lipophilic and hydrophilic drug delivery. Nanomaterials are widely used in the preparation of anti-wrinkle creams, moisturizing creams, skin-whitening creams, hair-repairing shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums. Promising results have been achieved with nanotechnology cancer theranostics and targeted drug delivery. Apart from high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed measurement capacity, nanodevices have been effective in the detection of extracellular cancer biomarkers and cancer cells, as well as in in vivo imaging. The chapter highlights the applications, and research status of nanodentistry and provides an intuition about future, ethical and safety concerns of nanotechnology. Nanodentistry is an offshoot of nanomedicine. Its emergence will aid in the maintenance of perfect oral health care using nanomaterials, biotechnology, and nanorobotics. This review abridges the latest developments in nanoelectronic devices for dentistry & cosmetics. In addition, the challenges in the translation of nanotechnology-based diagnostic methods into clinical applications have also been discussed.