title: Application of dental nanomaterials: potential toxicity to the central nervous system.
abstract: Nanomaterials are defined as materials with one or more external dimensions with a size of 1-100 nm. Such materials possess typical nanostructure-dependent properties (eg, chemical, biological, optical, mechanical, and magnetic), which may differ greatly from the properties of their bulk counterparts. In recent years, nanomaterials have been widely used in the production of dental materials, particularly in light polymerization composite resins and bonding systems, coating materials for dental implants, bioceramics, endodontic sealers, and mouthwashes. However, the dental applications of nanomaterials yield not only a significant improvement in clinical treatments but also growing concerns regarding their biosecurity. The brain is well protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which separates the blood from the cerebral parenchyma. However, in recent years, many studies have found that nanoparticles (NPs), including nanocarriers, can transport through the BBB and locate in the central nervous system (CNS). Because the CNS may be a potential target organ of the nanomaterials, it is essential to determine the neurotoxic effects of NPs. In this review, possible dental nanomaterials and their pathways into the CNS are discussed, as well as related neurotoxicity effects underlying the in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, we analyze the limitations of the current testing methods on the toxicological effects of nanomaterials. This review contributes to a better understanding of the nano-related risks to the CNS as well as the further development of safety assessment systems.
authors.affiliation: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Aijie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yanli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Longquan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Limin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D009498:Neurotoxins
keywords: central nervous system; dental; nanomaterials; risk assessment; testing methods; toxicity