Nanomaterials for the repair and regeneration of dental tissues

Abstract

This chapter details the recent advances concerning the use of scaffolds and nanomaterials in the field of artificial tooth regeneration. Primary osseointegration is the mechanical attachment of an implant to the surrounding bone following its insertion, while secondary osseointe‐gration (biological stability) involves bone regeneration and remodeling around the implant. Various methods exist for the fabrication of materials with nanometer‐scale roughnesses; grit blasting, ionization, and acid etching are among the more common. Dental implants have also begun to use similar methods to increase surface roughness and promote protein adsorption and cell adhesion. In addition, biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings and growth factor‐releasing scaffolds are also under development for bone and tooth regeneration. The formation of complete replacement teeth would be of great utility in regenerative dentistry. Adipose‐derived stem cells have been suggested as alternate cell sources for the regeneration of teeth.