Smart materials in Dentistry

With the advent of innovative novel technology, a newer class of materials called "smart materials" has evolved that acts synergistically with body tissues. Smart materials interact with the oral environment and undergo purposeful alteration in the color, refractive index, distribution of stresses and strains, and volume distribution. Due to this interesting feature, scientists are encouraged to broaden the use of these materials in various fields especially biomedical sciences and dentistry. These materials can discern the stimulus from the surrounding environment and retaliate to it in a valid, advantageous, and purposeful way to perform a specific function. These materials support the remaining tooth structure to the extent that more conservative cavity preparation can be carried out. Understanding and using these advanced materials in day-to-day practice surely makes a difference between the success and failure of dental treatment in today's intensely competitive world. The application of smart materials favours new and groundbreaking dental therapies with a significantly enhanced clinical outcome of treatments.