Introduction: Due to the complexity of different oral infections, new anti-infective nanotechnological approaches have been emerging for dentistry in recent years. These strategies may contribute to antimicrobial molecules delivery, tissue regeneration, and oral health maintenance by acting in a more specific site and not being cytotoxic. In this context, nanofibers appear as versatile structures and might act both in the release of antimicrobial molecules and as a scaffold for new tissue formation.

Areas covered: This review addresses the application of different nanofibers as new strategies for the delivery of antimicrobial molecules for dentistry. Here, we present the main polymers used to construct nanofibers, methods of production and mainly their antimicrobial activity against microorganisms commonly responsible for the usual dental infections. These biomaterials may be associated to restorative materials, prostheses, and mucoadhesive structures. Besides, nanofibers can be used for endodontic or periodontal therapy, or even on implant surfaces.

Expert opinion: A wide variety of studies report the potential application of anti-infective nanofibers in the oral cavity. Although there are still several barriers between in vitro and in vivo studies, these new formulations appear as promising new therapies for dentistry.

简介：由于不同口腔感染的复杂性，近年来牙科领域出现了新的抗感染纳米技术方法。这些策略可能通过在更特定的部位起作用而不具有细胞毒性，从而有助于抗菌分子的递送，组织再生和口腔健康的维持。在这种情况下，纳米纤维表现为通用结构，并且可能在释放抗菌分子和充当新组织形成的支架方面起作用。

涵盖的领域：这篇综述探讨了将不同的纳米纤维作为牙科抗菌药物的新策略的应用。在这里，我们介绍了用于构建纳米纤维的主要聚合物，生产方法，以及它们主要针对常见的牙齿感染的微生物的抗微生物活性。这些生物材料可能与修复材料，假体和粘膜粘附结构有关。此外，纳米纤维可用于牙髓或牙周治疗，甚至用于植入物表面。

专家意见：各种各样的研究报告了抗感染纳米纤维在口腔中的潜在应用。尽管在体外和体内研究之间仍然存在一些障碍，但是这些新制剂似乎是有前途的牙科新疗法。