Implantation and Retrieval of Magnetic Nanobots for Treatment of Endodontic Re-Infection in Human Dentine

More than 10% of root canal treatments undergo failure worldwide due to remnant bacteria deep in the dentinal tubules located within the dentine tissue of human teeth. Owing to the complex and narrow geometry of the tubules, current techniques relying on passive diffusion of anti-bacterial agents are inadequate. Here, we present a new treatment method using actively maneuvered nanobots, which can be incorporated during standard root canal procedure. Our technique will enable dentists to execute procedures inside the dentine not yet possible by current state of the art. We demonstrate that magnetically driven nanobots can reach the depths of the tubules up to hundred times faster than current clinical practices. Subtle modifications of the magnetic drive allowed deep implantation of the nanobots isotopically distributed throughout the dentine, along with spatially controlled retrieval from selected areas. Finally, we demonstrate the integration of bactericidal therapeutic modality with the nanobots, thereby validating the tremendous potential of nanobots in dentistry, and nanomedicine in general. </div

Magnetically Maneuvered Bioceramic Nanostructures Cures Dental Hypersensitivity

Dental hypersensitivity is an acute pain triggered by everyday stimuli, like extremes of temperature or pH, affecting more than one billion people worldwide. The condition occurs when dentinal tubules are exposed through enamel loss or cementum erosion of the tooth, stimulating nerves located in the peripheral odontoblast zone of the pulp. Existing treatments, such as sensitive toothpastes and adhesive resins, offer short-term relief and are often ineffective, leaving patients reliant on continuous interventions. Here, we demonstrate a new approach to cure dental hypersensitivity using nanoparticles made of magnetic bioactive glass called "CalBots." These sub-micron particles can be maneuvered up to 300 µm deep inside the dentinal tubules for both human and murine teeth, thereafter, triggering the formation of a biocompatible seal and thus preventing response of the exposed tubules and their nerve fibers to external stimuli. We demonstrate CalBots to be non-toxic to animals, at least up to a dosage of 550 mg/kg bodyweight of the animal. Our controlled animal trial experiments, featuring various control groups, demonstrated a remarkable 100% recovery from dental hypersensitivity within the treatment group. In contrast, none of the other groups, encompassing four control groups and one negative control group, exhibited any signs of recovery. The temporal efficacy of our CalBot-based treatment protocol surpasses that of current toothpaste-based solutions available in the market by providing pain relief for a duration orders of magnitude more than the standard 24-48 hours