Current Perspectives on Use of Aloe vera in Dentistry

Introduction: Aloe vera is known from centuries as a medicinal plant. It’s a wonder plant with a lot of health benefits and hence often been called the 'natural healer'. It is a tropical plant that flourishes in warm and dry climate and looks like a cactus with fleshy thorny leaves. There are around 400 species of Aloe, but it is the Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera or "true aloe") plant which has been used most (found mainly in Asia, Africa and other tropical areas) because of its medicinal uses like moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Medicinal Uses: Aloe vera has its uses in various systemic conditions like skin disorders (e.g. psoriasis), arthritis, asthma, digestive and bowel disorders, diabetes and lowering lipid levels in hyper-lipidemic patients. It has also be used as a detoxifying agent, for topical application of first and second degree burns, as a immune enhancer, in Alzheimer’s disease and in various cosmetic, medical and dental products.

Dental Uses: This wonder plant has also been used in dentistry for its beneficial properties in various conditions like lichen planus, apthous stomatitis, oral submucous fibrosis, pulpotomy of primary teeth, prevention of dry sockets, obturation of primary teeth, disinfection of irrigation units, bleeding and painful gums, disinfection of gutta percha cones, burning mouth syndrome and in radiated head and neck cancer patients. The purpose of this article is to highlight the role of A. barbadensis in various branches of dentistry and its potential future role.

Conclusion: Aloe vera indeed has a definitive useful role in dentistry. However, future researches should be aimed to determine its method of preparation, optimal concentration, time of application and effects on the oral cavity.