Friday, 4th January 2008 (3777 views)

Gold, a longtime favourite material for a number of types of dental work, may now be used to treat sensitive teeth, according to Nanowerk.

Taiwanese researchers have found a way to use gold nanoparticles to block dentinal tubules, an excess of which can cause hypersensitive teeth.

By blocking the tubules with gold nanoparticles acting as tiny fillings, the fluid movement towards dentine nerve endings is prevented, decreasing the likelihood of someone with sensitive teeth experiencing a painful sensation.

The team, led by Dr Chris Wang of the National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan, recently published its findings in the journal Nanotechnology.

Gold has a number of applications in this sector, including as crowns, bridges and a number of other dental prostheses.

Nanotechnology is also used in composites, impression materials and bonding agents, in addition to nanostructured implant materials.

Other medical applications of gold nanoparticles include arthritis treatment as well as targeting cancerous tumours.

 

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