Nanozymes in the Management of Dental Caries and Dental Pulp Diseases: A Scoping Review
Sumit Gaur, Rupali Agnihotri
Abstract
Objective:
Nanozymes (NZs) are nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activities that have emerged recently as an alternative to traditional antimicrobials in dentistry. This scoping review aims to systematically map the current evidence on the synthesis, catalytic mechanisms, and therapeutic efficacy of NZs in dental caries and pulpal pathologies, and also identify research gaps in their translation to clinical practice.
Methods:
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were applied to conduct this review, and original research studies (up to December 2025) were comprehensively searched across four electronic databases—Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Data extraction included NZ structures, specific enzyme-like activities, and their roles in disrupting biofilms, promoting enamel remineralization, and facilitating pulp regeneration.
Results:
About 17 original studies that utilized a combination of
Conclusion:
NZs are smart, multifunctional therapeutic agents for targeting cariogenic biofilms, promoting pulpal healing, and reducing the risks associated with conventional antibiotics. Although results from preclinical studies are promising, the lack of longitudinal toxicity data and human clinical trials hinders their routine application in dentistry. Future research must prioritize human-safety trials to enable clinical translation.