Dental plaque biofilm-targeting composite nanomaterials: advances and outlook

Abstract

The disruption of oral microbial homeostasis is a major cause of periodontal disease, and the formation of pathogenic plaque biofilms represents a key driver of disease progression. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) within dental plaque biofilms provide structural support and a protective barrier, rendering these biofilms markedly resistant to conventional antimicrobial strategies. Owing to their favorable physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and multifunctionality, nanomaterials have attracted widespread attention as potential drug-delivery platforms and therapeutic agents targeting EPS across inorganic, organic, natural-product-derived, and composite material systems. This review concentrates on recent advances in the use of nanomaterials for degrading the EPS matrix and treating dental plaque biofilms. It explicates mechanisms by which nanomaterials act, including inhibition of EPS production and adhesion, degradation of polysaccharides and proteins, targeting of extracellular DNA (eDNA), and exploitation of negative surface charge to disrupt biofilm integrity, and it explores the potential of multifunctional nanocarriers in combination with other therapeutic modalities. Collectively, these studies furnish theoretical rationale and technical support for the development of novel, effective antimicrobial strategies and may open new avenues for periodontal therapy. The review also summarizes current challenges in the field of nanomaterial-based, EPS-targeted periodontal treatment and discusses possible approaches to address these obstacles.