Introduction to nanotechnology

Nanotechnology describes the science and technology related to the control and manipulation of matter and devices on a scale less than 100 nm and involves fields such as applied physics, materials science, chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, surface science, electrical engineering, and robotics. At the nanoscale level, the properties of matter are dictated and there are fewer boundaries between scientific disciplines. There are two main approaches that have been used in nanotechnology. These are known as the “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches. The former involves building up from atoms into molecules to assemble nanostructures, materials, and devices. The second approach involves making structures and devices from larger entities without specific control at the atomic level. Progress in both approaches has been accelerated in recent years with the development and application of highly sensitive instruments. For example, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, electron beam lithography, molecular beam epitaxy, etc. have become available to push forward developments in this exciting new field. These instruments allow observation and manipulation of novel nanostructures. By investigating and understanding the functionality of materials at the micro/nanoscale level, the scientific community is working toward finding new techniques to achieve maximum functional output from these materials with minimum energy and resource input. Research is being carried out worldwide to understand the advantages and limitations of nanotechnology and its applications in a wide range of disciplines from material science, biomedical research, to space research. In medicine, nanotechnology is being used in nanoparticle-based drug delivery, nanoscale diagnostic tools, tissue engineering, and biosensors. For dentistry, extensive research has recently explored the applications of nanotechnology in dental biomaterials, dental implantology, dental instruments, nanoparticles/scaffolds for bone regeneration around dental implants and the maxillofacial region, and nanodiagnostic tools to diagnose oral pathology. This chapter outlines some applications of nanotechnology in dentistry which are described in detail in subsequent chapters of this book.