Aarti Rajambigai

Esthetically acceptable restorations have become more attainable due to the improvement in restorative materials.1 All-ceramic restorations are among the most esthetically pleasing substitutes for tooth structure due to their similar optical properties compared to natural dentition.2 Despite the esthetic qualities of all-ceramic materials, restorative dentists may have difficulty choosing the optimal shade for a restoration, because of individual differences in shade perception and the ability to match the natural dentition.3 Therefore, modifications with metallic oxide stains are often required to correct slight shade imperfections when compared to adjacent natural teeth. This process is known as extrinsic staining.4Extrinsic staining is the superficial application of a stain to the outermost layer of a ceramic restoration. It is conventionally applied with a fine porcelain brush in order to recreate the special characteristics required to mimic a natural tooth.4, 5 A potential major drawback of this technique is that the layer of stain is thinly applied and is directly exposed to the oral environment.

Digital dentistry refers to the use of dental technologies or devices that incorporates digital or computer-control components to carry out dental procedures rather than using mechanical or electrical tools. Advancements in dental technology enable patients to receive modern solutions of conventional dental problems. Prosthodontics can incorporate digital technology into their practices to improve their workflow efficiency and ease of collaboration with laboratories. In this article, digital technologies that are available for prosthetic dentistry such as digital radiography, electronic prescriptions, computerized case presentations, virtual articulator and face bow, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing restorations, digital impressions, and shade selection are described along with emphasis on advantages and limitations of digital technology.

Nanotechnology involves the research, development, and manufacturing of materials and devices measured on the nanometer scale. Materials with constituents less than 100 nm in at least one dimension can be classified as nanomaterials. Nanotechnology has found its way into commercial applications of cosmetics, food packaging, and disinfectants for the past two decades. In the field of medicine, nanotechnology and nanomaterials are used for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Nanomedicine is involved in multiple facets such as drug delivery, surgery, restoration, and replacement of tissues. In dentistry, nanoscience has gained impressive traction in the recent past as it deals with nanostructures for diagnostics and treatment of dental diseases. The aim is to attain perfect oral health with the regeneration of oral tissues using nanomaterials, bioengineering, and nanorobotics. The concept of nanotechnology was first introduced by Richard Feynman in 1959 at a lecture at Caltech where he discussed information on a small scale and the unavoidable use of small robots and computers shortly.