Piezo-catalysis for nondestructive tooth whitening

Nat Commun. 2020 Mar 12;11(1):1328. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15015-3.

Abstract

The increasing demand for a whiter smile has resulted in an increased popularity for tooth whitening procedures. The most classic hydrogen peroxide-based whitening agents are effective, but can lead to enamel demineralization, gingival irritation, or cytotoxicity. Furthermore, these techniques are excessively time-consuming. Here, we report a nondestructive, harmless and convenient tooth whitening strategy based on a piezo-catalysis effect realized by replacement of abrasives traditionally used in toothpaste with piezoelectric particles. Degradation of organic dyes via piezo-catalysis of BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles was performed under ultrasonic vibration to simulate daily tooth brushing. Teeth stained with black tea, blueberry juice, wine or a combination thereof can be notably whitened by the poled BTO turbid liquid after vibration for 3 h. A similar treatment using unpoled or cubic BTO show negligible tooth whitening effect. Furthermore, the BTO nanoparticle-based piezo-catalysis tooth whitening procedure exhibits remarkably less damage to both enamel and biological cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Indigo Carmine
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Tooth Bleaching*
  • Toothbrushing
  • Vibration

Substances

  • Indigo Carmine