Re: is nano technology applicable to dentistry?

Nanotechnology finds its applications in dentistry also.Nanobots could be
programmed to invade a patient's mouth and do any operations which are done
by a dentist.Primarily,nanosensors could be used to diagnose the root of
the problem.But since one has to handle materials at nanolevel,one must be
sufficiently skilled.For instance,operations like drilling or filling need
extreme accuracy,whereas mere cleaning may not require such precision(For
cleaning,nanobots could be made from the cleansing fluid itself).Other
operations like plucking may not need nanobots at all.So,it is according to
the requirement and time available ,that the nanobots need to be used.But
the pain or misery of a patient could be reduced considerably or almost to
nil.Since nanobots are remotely controlled,the patient may have to keep his
mouth open throughout the operation.Also,the nanobots must be properly
disposed aftermath the operation.The load bearing capacity of teeth can be
improved and also they can be given glossy appearance.Nanocomposites and
nanofillers could be used for this purpose.The nanofillers will have a
refractive index of 1.508.The advantages of nanocomposites are superior
hardness,superior flexural strength,superior modulus of elasticity,and much
more.Nanosolutions give higher dentine bond strength.Finally,i may note
that the advances in nanotechnology may eventually lead to the dentist
losing his profession itself.
[note added by MadSci Admin:  Dentists will always be needed in
the profession even if nanotechnology proliferates. There
will always be a need to diagnose, administer the proper nanotechnology,
assess the impact of the use of the technology, and to perform those
operations which are not cost effective or for some reason are not
accessible to nanotechnology.]