Sumita Mitra is a chemist and inventor whose work transformed restorative dentistry through the application of nanotechnology. While working at 3M, she pioneered the use of nanoscale materials in dental composites, producing fillings and restorative products that outperformed previous materials in strength, longevity, and aesthetic quality. Her innovations were adopted worldwide and significantly improved dental care outcomes for millions of patients. Holding numerous patents, Mitra is recognized as one of the leading innovators in dental materials science and received the European Inventor Award in 2021 for her contributions.