title: Nanocharacterization in dentistry.
abstract: About 80% of US adults have some form of dental disease. There are a variety of new dental products available, ranging from implants to oral hygiene products that rely on nanoscale properties. Here, the application of AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and optical interferometry to a range of dentistry issues, including characterization of dental enamel, oral bacteria, biofilms and the role of surface proteins in biochemical and nanomechanical properties of bacterial adhesins, is reviewed. We also include studies of new products blocking dentine tubules to alleviate hypersensitivity; antimicrobial effects of mouthwash and characterizing nanoparticle coated dental implants. An outlook on future "nanodentistry" developments such as saliva exosomes based diagnostics, designing biocompatible, antimicrobial dental implants and personalized dental healthcare is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, CA, USA; E-Mails: sharmas@ucla.edu (S.S.); secross@gmail.com (S.E.C.); carlin.hsueh@gmail.com (C.H.); rpwali@chem.ucla.edu (R.P.W.).
authors.forename: Shivani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Carlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Ruseen P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wali
authors.forename: Adam Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Stieg
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gimzewski
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015921:Dental Implants; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003813:Dentistry / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D036103:Nanotechnology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017001:Tooth Demineralization
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015415:Biomarkers; D015921:Dental Implants