For many people, sipping cold water or eating ice cream can feel like a shock in the mouth. This is because of tooth sensitivity. In India, millions face this problem every day. Now, scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and a deep-tech startup called Theranautilus have found a new way to help. They have invented CalBots—tiny magnetic nanobots that fix the real cause of the pain.
What Are CalBots?
CalBots are so small you cannot see them without a microscope—only 400 nanometers wide. They are made from a special calcium-silicon ceramic. Dentists can guide these bots inside a tooth using a magnet. Once inside, the bots travel to tiny holes in the tooth’s dentine layer and seal them. This stops the sensitivity from the root.
“We wanted to create something that would not just cover up the pain but actually fix the problem from inside,” says Debayan Dasgupta, co-founder of Theranautilus.
How They Fix the Problem
Tooth sensitivity happens when the top enamel layer wears away or gums shrink, exposing the dentine layer. The dentine has tiny tubes called dentinal tubules that lead to the nerves. Hot or cold food passes through these tubes and causes sharp pain.
CalBots can move 300–500 micrometers deep inside these tubes. Guided by a magnet, they go to the exact spots that are open and seal them with a material that feels natural to the tooth. In tests on real human teeth in a lab, dentists used a magnet for 20 minutes and then checked the teeth under a microscope. The bots had built strong plugs that lasted. In mouse tests, sensitive mice avoided cold water—until after treatment—then they drank normally again.
“It’s like sending tiny construction workers inside your tooth to repair it from the inside,” says Dr. Ambarish Kulkarni, one of the researchers at IISc.
Safe Science for People’s Teeth
One big question for any new medical tool is: Is it safe? The materials used in CalBots are marked as “Generally Recognised as Safe” (GRAS). In all the tests on mice, no harmful effects were seen. This is important because CalBots are designed to go deep into the tooth and stay there.
“The idea was to create something safe, effective, and quick to use, so dentists could adopt it without fear,” says Debayan Dasgupta.
A Step Toward the Future of Dentistry
Right now, most treatments for sensitivity just cover the tooth surface, which wears off in weeks or months. CalBots work differently—they repair the problem from the inside. This could mean relief that lasts for years. Dentists are hopeful this technology could reach clinics soon, changing how sensitivity is treated in India and worldwide.
Beyond tooth care, the success of CalBots shows how nanobots could be used in other medical areas. One day, similar bots might deliver medicines directly to hard-to-reach parts of the body, fight infections, or even help in bone healing.
“What excites us most is that this is just the beginning. The future of dentistry could be full of such smart tools, and India is ready to lead that change,” says Dr. Kulkarni.
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