In recent decades, the integration of nanotechnology into dentistry has led to groundbreaking advancements in dental materials and applications. This article explores the role of nanoparticles (NPs) in modern dentistry, highlighting their definitions, unique properties, and various applications. The introduction establishes the significance of nanotechnology in dental health care, emphasizing the potential of NPs to transform traditional practices. The overview includes a discussion of the fundamental properties of NPs, which contribute to their effectiveness in dental applications. The article categorizes NPs into three main groups: antimicrobial, therapeutic, and material property-improving NPs, detailing their clinical uses and mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it addresses current innovations in dental products incorporating NPs and examines emerging trends in the field. The research for this review was conducted using high-quality, peer-reviewed scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, with no time restriction as an inclusion criterion. These databases were selected for their credibility and comprehensive collections of relevant studies. In conclusion, NPs represent a promising avenue for innovation in dental materials and therapeutics. Their unique properties enable the development of enhanced antimicrobial agents, effective drug delivery systems, and improved material performance. However, the risks associated with cytotoxicity and stability must be carefully managed to ensure safe and effective use. Ongoing research is essential to fully understand and optimize the applications of NPs in dentistry, balancing their benefits against potential health risks. As the field advances, the integration of NPs into clinical practice will likely revolutionize approaches to dental care and treatment.

A novel resin-based bulk-fill restorative material (ST; Stela SDI, Bayswater, Victoria, Australia) has been recently introduced as a self-curing alternative to traditional light-cured composites. Promoted for its unlimited depth of cure, enhanced aesthetics, and unique primer composition, it aims to address challenges associated with amalgam and light-curing composites. Thus, the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the performance of the new self-curing polymer-based restorative material, ST, compared to two conventional light-cured composites for direct restoration. The study evaluated compressive strength with and without aging, antibacterial activity, mineral deposition in contact with Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) and artificial saliva, porosity, and wettability of ST (Tetric EvoCeram (TE; Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and Clearfil Majesty ES-2 (CM; Kuraray Noritake Dental, Tokyo, Japan)). The data was statistically analyzed (α = 0.05) through one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). ST demonstrated significantly higher compressive strength than TE and CM at baseline and after aging (p < 0.001), while aging significantly reduced compressive strength across all materials (p < 0.001). Fracture mode analysis revealed brittle fractures for TE and CM, whereas ST fractured in multiple smaller fragments. CM showed the highest void volume and diameter, significantly differing from ST and TE (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed cubical-like crystalline formations on ST’s surface after 28 days of immersion in PBS and saliva, indicating some level of bioactivity, whereas no changes were observed for TE and CM. Wettability testing showed ST had the lowest contact angle (12.24° ± 2.1°) compared to TE (62.78° ± 4.68°) and CM (64.64° ± 3.72°) (p < 0.001). Antibacterial activity testing displayed a significant decrease in bacterial growth for CM compared to ST (p = 0.001) and TE (p = 0.002); however, ST and TE showed no significant differences (p = 0.950). To conclude, ST Automix demonstrated promising results across several key parameters, making it a potential candidate for long-lasting restorative applications. Future studies should explore its long-term clinical performance and investigate formulations that enhance its antibacterial properties. Moreover, the bond strength of these materials to dentin and the cytotoxicity should be evaluated.

Dental diseases pose a global health concern. In addition to medication and care, the use of biocompatible and even bioactive dental materials can contribute to global oral health. Among such materials, nanomaterials begin to be used. In this context, the incorporation of graphene-based materials into dental biomaterials could offer advantages such as increased mechanical strength. Nevertheless, biocompatibility issues still hinder their adoption. In this study, a biocomposite of few-layered graphene and tannic acid (FLG–TA) was synthesized through a straightforward, bio-based methodology. Physicochemical characterizations elucidated the structural and morphological attributes of the biocomposite. By incorporating antioxidant TA molecules onto the FLG surface, the biocomposite dynamically mitigated reactive oxygen species, demonstrating no cytotoxicity to periodontal ligament cells up to 200 µg·mL −1 while promoting cellular adhesion and maintaining chromatin integrity. Overall, because of its favorable biocompatibility FLG–TA holds promise as a novel biomaterial for dental applications.

This review summarizes recent advances in biomolecule-mediated exfoliation of graphene and related materials, and discusses their emerging applications in dental medicine. Natural biomolecules, including polyphenols, proteins and polysaccharides, are evaluated as exfoliating agents, emphasizing their influence on the structural and biological properties of graphene and related materials. Particular attention is given to how the synthesis methodologies affects physicochemical properties of the resulting materials and, in turn, biological and mechanical properties. The practical relevance of these materials in dentistry is demonstrated through their applications as functional fillers in dental cements, luting agents, endodontic sealers, and restorative composites, as well as advanced protective coatings for dental substrates and devices. Mechanistic insights into how exfoliation-driven structural modifications dictate material performance in specific dental applications are provided. Collectively, the findings highlight that biomolecule-mediated approaches represent a sustainable, scalable, and versatile strategy for engineering graphene-based materials that simultaneously meet functional requirements and biocompatibility standards essential for successful dental applications.