Smart dental materials refer to materials used in dentistry with additional functionality to enhance treatment outcomes, which may improve oral health. Smart materials for dental restorations can react to stimuli such as a specific temperature, a different pH, or mechanical stress, repair small cracks or damage by themselves, and interact beneficially with biological surroundings. For example, they might release ions and promote tooth remineralization or have antibacterial properties to prevent bacterial growth. Others can have enhanced mechanical properties like strength and wear resistance to ensure these materials can withstand daily masticatory forces. This review presents our current comprehension of smart dental materials designed for tooth restoration. We focused on what these materials need to be effective, like durability, biocompatibility, and aesthetic requests, besides identifying new ideas for their design. A detailed analysis of the current challenges in formulating these materials, such as the balance between enough ions released with proper physicochemical properties and achieving the desired biological response, was discussed. We also discussed how these cutting-edge technologies are leveraged to overcome existing limitations, creating more dental materials with potential clinical translation. The review also discusses the practical challenges in implementation and the prospects for these materials in dentistry.

This comparative study investigated the tissue regeneration and inflammatory response induced by xenografts comprised of hydroxyapatite (HA) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) extracted from porcine (P) and bovine (B) sources. First, extraction of HA and DBM was independently conducted, followed by chemical and morphological characterization. Second, mixtures of HA/DBM were prepared in 50/50 and 60/40 concentrations, and the chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties were evaluated. A rat calvarial defect model was used to evaluate the tissue regeneration and inflammatory responses at 3 and 6 months. The commercial allograft DBM Puros^® was used as a clinical reference. Different variables related to tissue regeneration were evaluated, including tissue thickness regeneration (%), amount of regenerated bone area (%), and amount of regenerated collagen area (%). The inflammatory response was evaluated by quantifying the blood vessel area. Overall, tissue regeneration from porcine grafts was superior to bovine. After 3 months of implantation, the tissue thickness regeneration in the 50/50P compound and the commercial DBM was significantly higher (~99%) than in the bovine materials (~23%). The 50/50P and DBM produced higher tissue regeneration than the naturally healed controls. Similar trends were observed for the regenerated bone and collagen areas. The blood vessel area was correlated with tissue regeneration in the first 3 months of evaluation. After 6 months of implantation, HA/DBM compounds showed less regenerated collagen than the DBM-only xenografts. In addition, all animal-derived xenografts improved tissue regeneration compared with the naturally healed defects. No clinical complications associated with any implanted compound were noted.

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) seeks to preserve pulp vitality by using biocompatible with regenerative potential. This study tested the hypothesis that an injectable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing piezoelectric barium titanate promotes odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) significantly better than a commercially available tricalcium silicate material used for vital pulp therapy. First, the light-curable, injectable piezoelectric hydrogel was engineered and characterized for its physicomechanical, piezoelectric properties and biocompatibility to DPSCs. The effect of this gel on the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs was determined by measuring the expression level of key genes, compared to Biodentine XP. The hydrogel exhibited excellent injectability (<1 kgf of force), mechanical stability, and generated physiologically relevant voltages under cyclic loading mimicking mastication. MTT and ROS assays show no cytotoxic or damaging oxidative stress effects. When DPSCs were cultured over the materials under cyclic loading, the piezoelectric hydrogel significantly enhanced cell viability and upregulated COL1A1, DSPP, and DMP1 expression compared to Biodentine XP and non-piezoelectric hydrogel controls. These findings establish piezoelectric hydrogel as a self-powered, bioactive platform that converts physiological forces into regenerative bioelectric cues, offering a promising next-generation material for vital pulp therapy.

Smart Dental Materials refer to materials used in dentistry with additional functionality to enhance treatment outcomes, which may improve oral health. Smart materials for dental restorations can react to stimuli such as a specific temperature, a different pH, or mechanical stress, repair small cracks or damage by themselves, and interact beneficially with biological surroundings. For example, they might release ions and promote tooth remineralization or have antibacterial properties to prevent bacterial growth. Others can have enhanced mechanical properties like strength and wear resistance to ensure these materials can withstand the daily masticatory forces. This review presents our current comprehension of smart dental materials designed for tooth restoration. We focused on what these materials need to be effective, like durability, biocompatibility, and aesthetic requests, besides identifying new ideas for their design. A detailed analysis of the current challenges faced in formulating these materials, such as the balance between enough ions released with proper physicochemical properties and achieving the desired biological response, was discussed. We also discussed how these cutting-edge technologies are being leveraged to overcome existing limitations, creating more dental materials with potential clinical translation. The review also discusses the practical challenges in implementation and the prospects for these materials in dentistry.