The continuous failure of conventional restorative materials due to secondary caries, marginal degradation, and mechanical fatigue has prompted the development of smart materials in restorative dentistry. Smart materials possess the ability to respond dynamically to environmental stimuli such as pH changes, mechanical stress, and microbial activity. Among these, self-healing resin composites and remineralizing restorative materials represent two major advances aimed at improving restoration longevity and biological performance. This review provides an updated overview of smart restorative materials, focusing on their mechanisms of action, material composition, and clinical relevance. A structured literature search was conducted across major electronic databases from 2010 to 2024. Evidence indicates that self-healing resins can autonomously repair microcracks, while remineralizing materials can release bioactive ions to promote hydroxyapatite formation and prevent secondary caries. Despite promising in vitro and in situ results, limited clinical evidence and challenges in standardization remain barriers to widespread clinical adoption.

Keywords
Smart materials; restorative dentistry; self-healing resin; remineralization; bioactive composites; pH-responsive materials.