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AIM : To evaluate the release of zinc and copper ions from zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles coated orthodontic brackets in artificial saliva under Invitro condition. METHODOLOGY : Thirty six metal brackets were coated with copper oxide (group A) and zinc oxide (group B ) nanoparticles using spray pyrolysis method and bracket was randomly selected and assessed under scanning electron microscope. The nano-coated brackets with copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles (Group A and B) were bonded on the extracted first premolar tooth with standard protocol and immersed in artificial saliva at pH of 6.5. The nanocoated brackets were analysed for ion release using atomic absorption spectrometer at four different time intervals baseline, day 7, day 14, and day 21 under invitro condition. RESULT : The highest concentration of zinc ion released from the zinc oxide and copper oxide nano coated brackets in the artificial saliva was on the 7th day and the quantity of zinc ion released was well below the levels that are toxic to humans throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: The concentration of zinc ions released zinc oxide nano coated brackets was significantly greater than the concentration of copper ion released from the copper oxide nano-coated brackets in the artificial saliva under similar experimental conditions.

Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating matter, measured in the billionths of a nanometer, roughly the size of two or three atoms. It is widely used in our day-today life including its use in medicine and is considered as a vital current technology of the 21st century based on its economic and scientific potential. Its application is being experimented in various domains in orthodontics, from surface coatings to the development of novel materials. Orthodontic materials must have specific characteristics such as biological safety, functionality, and adequate tissue response. They have to pass specific biocompatibility tests to meet regulatory standards. Any material used in oral cavity might encourage unnecessary disturbance due to its complex and varied environment. The nanomaterials have many advantages in the field of orthodontics, especially with improved mechanical and antimicrobial properties. Nanoparticles can easily penetrate tissues and can affect biological behaviours at different levels. The introduction of nanotechnology gives better opportunities to both patient and orthodontist to new physicochemical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of nanosized materials and can be used in coating orthodontic wires, elastomeric ligatures, and brackets, producing shape memory polymers and orthodontic bonding materials. The present review article focuses on the application of nanoparticles in orthodontics. This article presents a brief overview of nanotechnology, types of nanoparticles, biological safety of different nanoparticles used in orthodontics and their applications in the field of dentistry and orthodontics. KEY WORDS Nanoparticles, Biocompatibility, Orthodontics, Nanoscience

Fluoride in drinking water plays a vital role in dental health. Due to excessive fluoride in water, enamel loses its luster. At lower concentration, it guards our teeth against cavities but at higher concentrations imparts fluorosis in varying concentrations. Excess fluoride in drinking water is reported from more than 35 countries around the globe with India and China. In countries like India, the severe contamination of drinking water with excess fluoride acquired the dimensions of a social economic rather than a public health problem triggering defluoridation research.