Multifunctional Dental Materials: Synthesis, Application, and Health Implications

The field of dental materials research is undergoing a transformation with the development of multifunctional substances aimed at enhancing dental applications. These materials are engineered to combine several roles, such as mechanical strength, antimicrobial properties, and aesthetic appeal, to better serve restorative and preventive dentistry needs. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in fully understanding their bioactivity, long-term health implications, and safety standards. Current studies in dental materials highlight promising progress in using biopolymers, natural products, and hybrids for combined therapeutic and cosmetic use, yet comprehensive health risk assessments and integration into clinical practice remain areas requiring further exploration.

This Research Topic aims to address the gaps in the synthesis, application, and health implications of multifunctional dental materials. The primary goals include examining their dual roles, understanding their bioactivity, and evaluating their long-term effects on oral and systemic health. Specific questions to explore are: How can these materials be optimized for both restoration and prevention? What are the potential systemic effects? And what health risk assessments are necessary?

To gather further insights into the synthesis and application of these materials, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Antimicrobial and bioactive composites

Biocompatible and eco-friendly polymers

Natural or plant-based oral healthcare agents

Risk assessment and safety evaluations

Innovations in oral cosmetics and therapeutic formulations

Ideal contributions to this topic will provide innovative insights and aim to advance sustainable, effective, and holistic dental care solutions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: multifunctional dental materials, bioactive composites, eco-friendly polymers, oral healthcare agents, dental material synthesis, dental health implications, sustainable dental solutions, holistic dentistry

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.