Photodynamic therapy empowered by nanotechnology for oral and dental science: Progress and perspectives

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a noninvasive therapeutic modality, has significantly revolutionized the contemporary management of oral and dental health. Recently, PDT has witnessed significant technological advancements, especially with the introduction of biomaterials and nanotechnologies, thus highlighting its potential as a multi-functional tool in therapeutics. In this review, our objective was to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in nanotechnology-enhanced PDT for the treatment of oral diseases, encompassing dental caries, root canal infection, periodontal disease, peri-implant inflammation, tooth staining, and whitening, as well as precancerous lesions and tumors. Furthermore, we extensively deliberated upon the persisting challenges and prospective avenues of nanotechnology-enhanced PDT in the realm of oral diseases, which will open up new possibilities for the application of nanotechnology-enhanced PDT in clinical implementation.