Natural Bioactive Compounds in Dental Materials: Balancing Biological Activity and Functional Properties

The integration of bioactive natural compounds into dental materials has gained increasing attention as a strategy to improve biological functionality while maintaining material performance. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence regarding the main classes of natural compounds investigated in dental materials, their incorporation methods, and their influence on material properties. A literature-based narrative approach was conducted using major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies addressing natural compound incorporation into restorative, prosthetic, adhesive, cementitious, and hydrogel-based dental materials. The reviewed literature indicates that polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins and peptides, terpenoids, and microbial- and marine-derived compounds have been incorporated using bulk modification, surface functionalization, coating systems, and hybrid material architectures. While these compounds may provide antimicrobial, antioxidant, and bioactive properties, they may also influence mechanical behavior, physicochemical stability, optical characteristics, surface properties, and release behavior, depending on compound chemistry, concentration, and incorporation strategy. The available evidence highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers both biological activity and material performance, as well as the importance of stability, standardization, and long-term clinical performance when integrating natural bioactive compounds into dental materials.