Int. J. Pharm. Investigation, 2021;11(1):5-9 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, Vol 11, Issue 1, Jan-Mar, 2021 5 Review Article Nanodrug Delivery Systems in Periodontics Pradeep Kumar Yadalam 1 , Deepavalli Arumuganainar 2, *, Rajapandian Kasipandian 1 , Kalaivani Varatharajan 1 1 Department of Periodontics, SRM Kattankulatur Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. 2 Department of Periodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. ABSTRACT Nanotechnology is of intense interest to researchers due to the basic fact that the properties of the material can be effectively manipulated when the size is transformed to nanoscopic. New opportunities arise out of the unique features which have been effectually utilized in the development of nano pharmaceuticals. This has revolutionized the health care system extensively by its diverse applications in modern medicine and dental science. Material science and periodontics have jointly adopted this technology to produce nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, which fnd considerable signifcance in the management of periodontal diseases. Periodontitis is principally polymicrobial in nature, affecting the supporting structures of the tooth. In addition to the conventional mechanical debridement, adjunctive chemical therapy is, at most times, required to resolve the chronic infammation. Hence, targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles with improved pharmacological and therapeutic properties may form better treatment strategies for managing this chronic infammation. As nanoscale technology fnds a scope in varied applications in periodontics, this current review highlights the various nanoscale drug delivery systems for managing periodontal diseases. Key words: Dendrimers, Liposomes, Nanocarriers, Nanofbers, Nanogels, Periodontal disease. Correspondence Dr. Deepavalli Arumuganainar Department of Periodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Phone no: +91 9094046585 Email: deeps.271@gmail.com DOI: 10.5530/ijpi.2021.1.2 This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. INTRODUCTION Nanotechnology has evolved over the decades and revolutionized the developments in material science, biotechnology and medicine. Nanomaterials exhibit a size less than 100nm, at least in one dimension, including particles less than 100nm in size, flms measuring <100nm in thickness and fbers measuring <100nm in diameter and composites having a combination of the components as mentioned earlier. Nanomaterials exhibit better performance than the conventional materials in terms of enhanced stifness, toughness, transparency, resistance to heat, solvent and abrasion. Additionally, their optical, electro-optical, chemical and magnetic properties pave the way to meet the captivating demand in the feld of health care. 1 An additional fascinating feature of nanomaterials is the ability of self- assembly, in which the autonomous arrangement of nanoparticles emerges into structures even without external intervention. 2 Tese unique characteristics make nanotechnology emerge with tremendous progress in the feld of drug delivery. In particular, the development of refned means of delivering therapeutic dosage of a drug to target sites is crucial in clinical science. Such applications will be a breakthrough in providing therapeutic strategies for periodontal diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic infammatory disease afecting the supporting structures of the tooth, namely, the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone. 3 Te relationship between bacterial plaque and the development of periodontal disease is well established. Antibacterial agents have been used efectively as adjuvants to conventional mechanical debridement due to limited access to the periodontopathic organisms in the deep periodontal pocket and those that are invasive in nature. 4,5 However, the systemic administration of antimicrobials is not routinely warranted in the treatment of periodontal diseases due to the development of microbial resistance, gastric intolerance, inadequate drug concentration reaching the target site, etc. with additional side efects. 6 Hence, local delivery of antimicrobials has been considered for overcoming the limitations of systemic antimicrobial therapy and has gained tremendous interest. 7 Nanotechnological drug delivery approaches provide an appropriate path through which therapeutic molecules incorporated into nanocarriers are used for targeted drug delivery at the infamed periodontal site. 8 Additionally, the nanocarriers provide signifcant improvements in the biodistribution and bioavailability of drugs. Currently, nanotechnological advances are of immense attention to signifcantly upgrading the properties of existing drug delivery systems. Continued clinical research in this direction will undoubtedly render a near-ideal drug delivery strategy for managing periodontal diseases. Tis review highlights the various nano-drug delivery systems for the management of periodontal diseases. NANO- DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM A nanoparticle is a submicroscopic solid material with the size ranging from 1-100nm. 9 Various non-toxic, biodegradable polymers have been utilized efciently to prepare nanoparticle drug carriers. 10 Te nanoparticle size’s inherent properties provide potential advantages in nano-drug delivery compared to emulsion-based carriers and microparticles. Te advantages are; 1. Controlled release characteristics, enhanced stability and dissolution in aqueous medium; 11 2. Increased transportation across the cell membrane which reduces clearance and enhances bioavailability; 3. Improved drug loading ability due to increased surface area per unit mass and higher surface reactivity; 12,13 4. Size simulating and biomimicking natural tissue and thus better tissue tolerance. Several chemical and physical adsorption methods are used to modify the surface properties, altering their geometry and architecture. Tis