Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) display distinctive biological properties unlike other biomaterials routinely used in dentistry and can serve as a novel application for various dental applications, according to a recent study published in the Materials Science and Engineering: C

The oral cavity is a gateway to the entire body, and protection of this gateway is a major goal in dentistry. Plaque biofilm is a major cause of the majority of dental diseases. Although various biomaterials have been applied for their cure, limitations pertaining to the material properties prevent the achievement of desired outcomes.

Nanoparticle applications have become useful tools for various dental applications in endodontics, periodontics, restorative dentistry, orthodontics and oral cancers. Of these, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in medicine and dentistry due to its antimicrobial properties. AgNPs have been incorporated into biomaterials to prevent or reduce biofilm formation. Due to the greater surface to volume ratio and small particle size, they possess excellent antimicrobial action without affecting the material's mechanical properties.
Nanotechnology is essential technology of the 21st century with groups of atoms at the nanoscale of 1–100 nm. Nanoparticles (NPS) can be obtained from natural sources or chemically synthesized as one of the by-products. Due to its higher surface to volume ratio and antibacterial properties, they have found applications in the field of medicine.
This unique property of AgNPs makes these materials fillers of choice in different biomaterials, whereby they play a vital role in improving the properties.
This review aims to discuss the influence of the addition of AgNPs to various biomaterials used in different dental applications.
Thus, AgNPs display distinctive biological properties unlike other biomaterials routinely used in dentistry and can serve as a novel application in restorative dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, endodontics, implantology, oral cancers and periodontology. AgNPs hold immense potential due to their antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal actions.
Reference:
An overview of the application of silver nanoparticles for biomaterials in dentistry by Ranjeet A. Bapat et al. published in the Materials Science and Engineering: C
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2018.05.069