Toothpaste uses aerogels to treat tooth sensitivity
Scientists at University College of London, UK, have deployed a material originally developed for bone grafting.
Oral care brand OZEN has launched the patented toothpaste that uses an ultralight, highly porous and extremely reactive aerogel. Its creators claim it eases sensitivity when it comes into contact with saliva.
The AeroGraft product reportedly differs from most sensitive toothpastes, which work by either numbing the nerve or slowly blocking tiny channels inside the tooth over days or weeks. Instead, the new toothpaste is said to work within minutes by physically sealing exposed tubules and releasing calcium and phosphate ions that form a protective mineral layer on the tooth’s surface.
The inspiration came not from dentistry but from art. NHS maxillofacial surgeon Dr Niall Kent, working at the university’s Centre for Nature-Inspired Engineering, was helping his brother, a sculptor, research new materials when he came across aerogels. This led to him exploring whether the same material science could be adapted for dentistry, using aerogels to help support natural mineral repair.
Professor Marc-Olivier Coppens, who led the development team, says, ‘This work grew out of fundamental research into hierarchically structured catalysts as well as nature-inspired materials and how they support mineral regeneration in the body. What has been particularly exciting is seeing the science translated from lab research into a consumer product that can unlock real world benefits for people.’
The university’s commercialisation arm, UCL Business, worked closely with the research team to protect the intellectual property, explore commercial routes and secure the right partner to take the technology to market.
The technology was licensed to Matrix, the consumer health company behind OZEN, which has developed and launched the product line.
