During fixed orthodontic treatment, white spot lesions are prevalent issues associated with cariogenic bacteria. This study aims to construct an orthodontic adhesive containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate-polydopamine-Ag (NPA) fillers to combat white spot lesions. The NPA fillers were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The biocompatibility of the fillers was evaluated. A colony counting test evaluated the antibacterial property of the fillers against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). NPA fillers were mixed with orthodontic adhesive (Transbond XT) at different weight ratios (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.%). The shear bond strength and antibacterial properties were then further investigated. The results showed that NPA was prepared successfully, with good antibacterial properties. The cell survival rate of all groups of fillers was higher than 70%, showing good biocompatibility. Moreover, the shear bond strength of the orthodontic adhesive with 0.2 wt.% NPA fillers was 11.89 ± 1.27 MPa, meeting the minimal clinical bond strength requirements of 7.8 MPa. Furthermore, the orthodontic adhesive resin blocks and the extract displayed good antibacterial properties, with the number of colonies decreasing significantly (p < 0.001). Taken together, we think that an orthodontic adhesive with NPA may have a good application potential for the prevention and treatment of white spot lesions.

Oral cancer represents a critical global health issue, where traditional treatment modalities are often characterized by considerable adverse effects and suboptimal effectiveness. Photothermal therapy (PTT) offers an innovative method for tumor treatment, leveraging photothermal agents to convert light into hyperthermia, ultimately leading to tumor ablation. PTT offers unique advantages in treating oral cancer due to its superficial anatomical location and consequent accessibility to laser irradiation. PTT’s advantage is further enhanced by its capacity to facilitate drug release and promote tissue regeneration. Consequently, the application of PTT for oral cancer has garnered widespread interest and has undergone rapid development. This review outlines advances in PTT for oral cancer, emphasizing strategies to improve efficacy and combination therapy approaches. The key challenges, including temperature control and long-term biosafety, are discussed alongside future directions. The review also encompasses PTT’s role in managing oral potentially malignant disorders and postoperative defects, conditions intimately linked with oral cancer. We aim to provide guidance for emerging PTT research in oral cancer and to promote the development of precise and efficient treatment strategies.