Optogenetics Era in Oral and Maxillofacial Field

Optogenetics is an interdisciplinary field that blends genomics and optical technology to regulate gene expression and biological processes. It offers advantages such as precise control over timing and placement, low invasiveness, and excellent efficiency. This procedure is enabled by photosensory proteins that have been genetically engineered to change form when exposed to light. As a result, optogenetic technologies provide important insights into a variety of biological mechanisms, ranging from subcellular and cellular processes to brain circuitry and behavioural patterns. This review will discuss the evolution of optogenetics and recent advances in its application in oral and maxillofacial studies. We will also look at how optogenetics has affected preclinical studies. While the scope of optogenetic techniques grows, obstacles remain in their application to oral and dental research.