Graphitic Carbon Nitride in Oral Health: Emerging Applications, Antimicrobial Potential, and Future Perspectives

This comprehensive review highlights the growing significance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as a multifunctional material with applications spanning diverse scientific and technological domains. Based on an extensive literature from electronic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, we provide an in-depth discussion of the fundamental structural configurations of g-C₃N₄, namely the triazine- and heptazine-based frameworks, which form the basis of its unique physicochemical and electronic properties. The two predominant synthesis strategies-thermal polymerization and solvothermal/hydrothermal routes-are examined in detail and illustrated through representative schematic models to elucidate their underlying mechanisms and resulting structural variations. Advanced surface characterization techniques, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), are also discussed in the context of their application to materials, including Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG), graphene oxide, and carbon nitride. These analyses provide insights into nanoscale surface topography and structural attributes, with HOPG serving as a well-established reference material for comparison. The review also addresses the biological activities and potential applications of g-C₃N₄, particularly in the context of its photocatalytic, antimicrobial, and biocompatible properties. Despite substantial progress in other research fields, a notable gap remains in the exploration of g-C₃N₄ for oral and dental applications. This limitation is largely attributed to the scarcity of systematic studies and limited published data in this emerging area. Accordingly, this review identifies promising opportunities for future research aimed at harnessing the distinctive properties of g-C₃N₄ for innovative developments in oral healthcare and dental material science.