Professor Osama El Shahawy is a Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at Cairo University and serves as the Head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Future University in Egypt. He is the President of the Egyptian Society of Pediatric Dentistry and Children with Special Needs and also holds the position of President of the Arabian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Bioactive materials have transformed pediatric dentistry by shifting restorative care from passive repair to active support of tooth biology. This lecture highlights the principles of bioactivity and reviews contemporary materials such as glass ionomer cements, resin-modified glass ionomers, calcium silicate–based materials, and bioactive resin composites. Emphasis is placed on their mechanisms of action, including ion release, remineralization, antibacterial effects, and promotion of pulp–dentin healing. Clinical applications in caries management, vital pulp therapy, and minimally invasive dentistry are discussed, with a focus on improving longevity, safety, and outcomes in children.
