IISc's Magnetic Nanobots Offer Durable Relief from Tooth Sensitivity: Research Shows

In an advancement for dental care, scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Theranautilus, have engineered “CalBots” — tiny magnetic nanobots capable of offering long-lasting relief from tooth sensitivity with a single treatment. The findings of the study are published in Advanced Science.

Tooth sensitivity, which affects nearly one in four people globally, arises when microscopic tubules in the dentin — the layer beneath enamel — are exposed, allowing sensations such as cold or heat to reach nerve endings. While desensitizing toothpastes offer only surface-level relief and require repeated use, CalBots aim to tackle the root cause with lasting impact.

“We didn't want to create a slightly better version of what's already out there,” said Shanmukh Peddi, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at IISc’s Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), and co-founder of Theranautilus. “We wanted a technology that solves a real problem in a way that no one's attempted before.”

The CalBots, each about 400 nanometers in size, are coated with a proprietary calcium silicate-based bioceramic cement. When guided by an external magnetic field, they penetrate deep into the dentinal tubules—up to 300–500 micrometers—and form cement-like plugs that mimic natural tooth structure. In lab tests using extracted human teeth, the bots successfully sealed the exposed dentin in just 20 minutes.