Restorative and Endodontic Materials Working Smarter Than Harder: A Contemporary Approach

Currently, there is no perfect dental material that fits all criteria for excellence. As the search for the "ideal restorative material" continues, newer materials are being introduced. Several biocompatible materials have been developed and widely used in a variety of dental treatments. As the demand for dental materials that mimic the properties of natural tooth structure increases, smart materials have emerged as a solution. These materials respond to environmental stimuli in a practical, reproducible, and reversible manner. They can undergo controlled transformations when exposed to factors such as stress, temperature, humidity, and pH. A key characteristic of smart materials is their ability to return to their original state once the stimulus is removed. Some examples of smart materials in dentistry include resin-modified glass ionomers, amorphous calcium phosphate-releasing pit and fissure sealants, smart composites, ceramics, orthodontic shape-memory alloys, smart impression materials, smart sutures, burs, and endodontic tools. This review highlights the current understanding of smart materials, their transformative role in dentistry, and the beginning of a new era in biosmart dentistry, while also providing an overview of various dental materials with smart behaviors. Keywords: Biomimetic, Responsive materials, Smart materials, Stimulus.