Nanoparticles can include a core linked to a polymerizable moiety that can be polymerized, cross-linked or cured. The polymerizable nanoparticles can be included in a composition for a polymerization, cross-linking or curing reaction in an amount and disposition sufficient for inhibiting or preventing volume shrinkage during polymerization, cross-linking or curing reaction. Also, the nanoparticles can be included with monomers, dendrimers, oligomers or polymers in the compositions that can be reacted to form a polymerized, cross-linked or cured product.