Dentin substitute materials in the restorative dentistry - A comprehensive update

The dentin substitutes are the dentin like materials which have a similar properties as that of the normal dentin structure. The ideal dentin substitutive material should be bio-compatible, impermeable to the oral fluids, antibacterial, should induce hard tissue formation, dimensionally stable and economical. The different materials were used as the dentin substitutive material in the past such as the calcium hydroxide and glass ionomer materials. However, with the advancements in the dental material sciences various other materials such as the mineral trioxide aggregate, biodentin, smart dentin replacement, bioactive glass were introduced into the restorative dentistry. The present review summarizes the chemical and mechanical properties and various clinical applications of dentin substitutive materials. Keywords: Mineral trioxide aggregate, Biodentin, Smart dentin replacement.