Phytomedicine and green nanotechnology: enhancing glass ionomer cements for sustainable dental restorations: a comprehensive review

Abstract Background Integrating phytomedicine with glass ionomer cements (GICs) offers a promising avenue for improving dental restoratives. This review comprehensively discusses the incorporation of plant extracts and derivatives into GICs to enhance their antimicrobial, mechanical, and aesthetic properties. Main text The addition of plant extracts, such as propolis, miswak, and grape seed, and the respective disinfecting derivatives of gallic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and curcumin improved both the antibacterial and mechanical properties of GICs. Furthermore, the incorporation of these derivatives is in line with current practices, which emphasize the use of natural products to minimize the use of synthetic preservatives in dental applications. In addition, this review discussed the role of these plant extracts in the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs), providing insights into how these sustainable approaches can fill existing gaps in dental material technology. This intersection of plant-based compounds and nanotechnology not only paves the way for innovative dental materials but also supports the broader movement toward sustainable practices in dentistry. This review revealed that the incorporation of plant extracts may significantly improve the antimicrobial properties of GICs and maintain or slightly improve their mechanical properties; however, the disparate methodologies and extraction concentrations used in these studies call for further standardized research. Conclusion This review highlights the potential of phytomedicine to optimize the performance of GICs in clinical settings and calls for further research to establish the most effective formulations.