A study published in the Smart Materials in Medicine suggests that graphene oxide is beneficial in dentistry and related tissue regeneration.
Dentistry is a field with multiple problems to be solved by optimizing materials. In modern dentistry, both the early prevention of caries and the development of new and efficient restorative materials are sought. Although tremendous efforts have been made to promote oral hygiene and fluoridation, the prevention of early-stage tooth decay lesions is still a challenge for dental research and public health. As a result, treating tooth defects resulting from caries has become one of the most common treatments in dentistry. The mechanical properties of materials applied in treating tooth defects, such as resin-based composites, are related to their clinical application and the longevity of the restoration
Current treatments for common dental diseases such as caries, periodontal diseases, tooth defects, missing teeth and bone defects cannot replenish dental tissue with artificial alternatives while maintaining the biological and mechanical properties of natural tissue. In recent years, in addition to existing conventional treatments, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have also been applied in this field to recover real tissue. Graphene oxide (GO) is considered to be a promising material in dentistry and related tissue regeneration due to its outstanding properties.
In this review, researchers first describe the physicochemical properties of GO and then explain the biological properties that derive from the physiochemical properties, including biocompatibility, controlled release of medicine, antibacterial properties, osteogenic differentiation properties and odontogenic differentiation properties.
They also highlight the potential applications of graphene oxide in dentistry and related tissue regeneration. For bacterial resistance in dentistry, GO has a wide range of applications. For reconstructing tooth defects, conventional dental materials such as resin and adhesives have been optimized with GO. To treat missing teeth, GO surface modification of dental implants is adopted to enhance not only the antibacterial properties but also osseointegration. To repair maxillofacial bone defects, GO can enhance the osteogenic properties of engineered tissue scaffolds through both surface and composite modifications. Some obstacles that inhibit the progression of this technology from the laboratory to the clinic have also been described.
Thus, the researchers concluded that graphene oxide is highly beneficial in dentistry and related tissue regeneration.
Reference:
Graphene oxide as a promising material in dentistry and tissue regeneration: A review by Xuanyu Qi et la. Published in the Smart Materials in Medicine.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259018342100020X