Nanoparticles to Abate Antibiotic Resistance During the Management of Dental Diseases

The intensive use or inappropriate selection of systemic antibiotic therapy is identified as a significant factor in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotic-resistant bacterial species are associated with a more aggressive disease process, poorer responses to therapy and demonstrate potential for increasing mortality rates. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, they oppose the activity of a particular antimicrobial agent to which it was previously susceptible. Increasing attention is being directed towards the management of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In dentistry, nanoparticle (NP)-based treatments present great promise for treating antibiotic-resistant strains. NP-based antimicrobials have demonstrated their efficacy against both planktonic and biofilm infections. Nanostructured materials can be utilized for carrying antimicrobials, aid in the delivery of novel drugs, and may even have antimicrobial activity on their own. NPs such as silver (Ag) NPs, metal oxides (MeOs), bimetallic NPs, zinc oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, etc. have a potential toward drug resistance mechanisms in bacteria, inhibit biofilm formation or other important processes. Other approaches, such as combining plant-based antimicrobials and NPs to overcome toxicity issues, are being researched. This approach is also effective in inhibiting bacterial efflux pumps potential, formation of biofilms, interference of quorum sensing, and possibly plasmid curing. In this chapter, we will highlight present developments on NPs used to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.