Other applications of plant extracts in dentistry

Abstract

Alternative treatments or coadjutants should be studied and proposed, especially considering the global trend and boosting the world health organization towards natural substances and medicinal plants, regarding their advantages as a function of its diversity, flexibility, accessibility, availability and wide acceptance. In this context, current researches have evaluated the effectiveness of natural substances, medicinal plants, phytoterapy and homeopathics: (1) as storage media for avulsed teeth or root surface treatment before teeth replantation; (2) as coadjutant to improve osteointegration and reduce peri-implantitis in dental implants; (3) as an alternative for anesthetic agents; (4) within treatment for bone remodeling during orthodontic movement or rapid maxillary expansion; (5) as hemostatic agents; and (6) as dental plaque disclosing agents. This chapter will discuss several studies regarding to all these related topics.