Introduction: Nanotechnology is a way of creating a matter using the method of atom manipulation. More than 166000 articles are made with the tag «nanomaterials» in 2018, and leading countries invest millions for research in that direction. For example, USA – 49 milliards in 2017.

Aim: To investigate the applying of nanomaterials in different dentistry directions, the fundamentally new theoretical conceptions about their future perspectives.

Materials and methods: Analysis of sources was performed with open scientific databases – Google Scholar, Pubmed. Also, using library resources of Sumy State University – Scopus and Web of Science were examined too.

Results: Nanoparticles of metals and their oxides are widely used in endodontics. They are used for increasing efficiency of irrigation and disinfection.  The research results suggest that the disinfection properties of zinc nanooxide are similar to the properties of irrigation solutions (5 % NaClO, 2 % chlorhexidine). The nanocomposite scaffolds based on nanoparticles of metals are used for encapsulation of bioactive molecules that stimulate the formation of pulp and dentin tissues. The nanocomposites are used as restorative materials in therapeutic dentistry. They have antibacterial and remineralizing effects. The addition of nanoparticles to the polymers reduces polymerization stress and shrinkage of composite without changing other properties of the materials.  A completely new concept in restorative dentistry is the creation of “selfhealing” adhesive systems using nano-capsulated monomers. In case of crack occurrence these capsules rupture and curing monomers fill the gap, thereby – provides regeneration of destroyed tissues.  Nanomaterials based on calcium hydroxyapatite are widely used in preventive dentistry. They are similar to natural hydroxyapatites crystals, which form inorganic composition of enamel and dentin. They have the most effective remineralization effect, compared to amino fluor and fluor mono phosphate. In addition to the remineralization effect, they reduce the hypersensitivity of the dense tissues of the tooth. 

Conclusions: Nanotechnologies can solve a lot of problems in dentistry: to increase the quality of endodontic cure, to enhance effectiveness of caries prevention, to improve composite materials and to introduce fundamentally new curing methods such as pulp regeneration and «self-regenerating» adhesive systems.