This review is an attempt to summarize current research on ozone, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silver (Ag), copper oxide CuO and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs). These agents can be used in various fields of dentistry such as conservative dentistry, endodontic, prosthetic or dental surgery. Nanotechnology and ozone can facilitate the dentist’s work by providing antimicrobial properties to dental materials or ensuring a decontaminated work area. However, the high potential of these agents for use in medicine should be confirmed in further research due to possible side effects, especially in long duration of observation so that the best way to apply them can be obtained.

The issue concerning the tooth decay is ongoing, therefore the study of materials with potential use in its prevention is crucial. This study aimed to analyze the long-term release of fluoride from synthesized nanofluorapatite in various in vitro environments for its potential use in dental materials. We placed 100 mg samples in 0.9% NaCl or deionized water and incubated them at 37 °C or 22 °C for 12 weeks. F− levels were read at 1, 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and thereafter weekly. The levels of F− released at specific time intervals, as well as their cumulative values were compared. In a solution of 0.9% NaCl at 22 °C, there were no significant differences in the amount of F− released in the assessed time intervals, while at 37 °C, the highest value was read after 24 h (0.0697 ppm + 0.0006; p < 0.05). In deionized water, the highest amount of F− at 22 °C was read after 4 weeks (0.0776 ppm + 0.0028; p < 0.05), and at 37 °C, it was also the highest after 4 weeks (0.0910 ppm + 0.0156; p < 0.05). Under the same conditions, after 5 weeks the cumulative level of F− released (0.6216 ppm + 0.0085) significantly increased (p < 0.05), when compared to the samples placed in 0.9% NaCl at 37 °C and 22 °C (0.5493 ppm + 0.0321 and 0.5376 ppm + 0.0234, respectively). FAp releases F− for a long period of time in all assessed environments, therefore it is advised to continue testing in vivo models. Due to the probable remineralization effect towards hard tooth tissues, fluorapatite can be used in the prevention and treatment of dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity.

The research has been carried out with a focus on the assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of pure nanohydroxyapatite, Cu²⁺-doped nanohydroxyapatite, ozonated olive oil-loaded nanohydroxyapatite, and Cu²⁺-doped nanohydroxyapatite, respectively. Their potential antimicrobial activity was investigated against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Candida albicans. Among all tested materials, the highest efficacy was observed in terms of ozonated olive oil. The studies were performed using an Ultraviolet–Visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), electron microscopy, and statistical methods, by determining the value of Colony-Forming Units (CFU/mL) and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).

Background: Recently, the defects of the tooth surface in the cervical region are often restored using composite filling materials. It should meet the needs of the patients regarding esthetics and material stability. The aim of the study was to analyze the tooth root surface at the cervical region after the removal of the composite filling material by means of the Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er: YAG) laser or drill using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy. Materials and Methods: For the purposes of this study, 14 premolar teeth (n = 14) were removed due to orthodontic reasons. The rectangular shape cavities with 3 mm in width and 1.5 mm in height were prepared with a 0.8 mm bur on high-speed contra-angle in the tooth surface just below cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and filled with the composite material. The composite material was removed with the Er: YAG laser at a power of 3.4 W, energy 170 mJ, frequency 20 Hz, pulse duration 300 μs, tip diameter 0.8 mm, air/fluid cooling 3 mL/s, and time of irradiation: 6 sec, at a distance from teeth of 2 mm (G1 group, n = 7) or a high-speed contra-angle bur (G2 group, n = 7). After the removal of composite material, the surfaces of teeth were examined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy. Results: The Er: YAG irradiation allowed to remove completely the composite material from the tooth cavity. The study confirmed, that the ends of collagen fibers were only partially denatured after the Er: YAG laser application. Conclusion: It has been proved that using the Er: YAG laser is an effective and safe method of composite removal for the dentin surface.

The interactions between transport proteins and drugs are very important from the pharmacological point of view. In this study, using fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) techniques, we investigated the interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and incretin antidiabetic drug – exenatide. Moreover, the effect of common metal ions (Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺) on the exenatide–HSA binding – was also described. Based on the experimental data under pseudophysiological conditions, the calculated binding constant values are on the order of 10⁴ M⁻¹, and the constants are lower in the presence of metal ions. We observed the increase of the hydrophobicity near the tryptophan-214 residue in subdomain IIA, but almost no change in the hydrophobicity surrounding tyrosine residues. A similar effect on the tryptophan microenvironment is influenced by metal ions. The calculated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the characteristic electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions play an important role in the albumin–exenatide complexes. The CD studies showed that exenatide does not change the secondary structure of the protein but used metal ions have some impact on albumin α-helical content. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma