A revolutionary toothpaste made from aerogel, one of the lightest solid materials known to science, promises to end tooth sensitivity instantly. Developed by British surgeon Dr Niall Kent, Ozen is the first new sensitive toothpaste patent in nearly 30 years.
How Ozen Works
Ozen is a gel that coats the tooth with a varnish-like layer to block pain. Unlike most sensitive toothpastes that numb the nerve or block tiny channels over days or weeks, Ozen works by sealing exposed channels in the tooth while releasing calcium and phosphate ions to form a protective mineral layer on the surface. This dual action is designed to stop pain instantly.
Expert Insights
Dr Kent, an NHS maxillofacial surgeon, said: "Sensitive teeth affect millions of people and can have a significant impact on their lives. It stops people enjoying an ice cream, a hot drink, or sweet foods. I’ve even seen people attending A&E from the pain. I knew the existing treatments were masking the problem rather than solving it. The technology had not changed in decades. We borrowed from aerospace and art to do what dentistry had not. No one had thought to look there. This really is sensitivity done different."
Anni Seaborne, team dentist for England Rugby, added: "Tooth sensitivity remains one of the most undertreated conditions in dentistry. The treatments most people reach for work by plugging microscopic channels in the tooth, and that protection disappears the moment you eat or drink. Patients have been managing sensitivity, not treating it. The mechanism behind Ozen represents the first serious attempt to change that."
Development and Availability
Dr Kent discovered aerogel while helping his sculptor brother research new materials. A development team at University College London then applied it to dentistry. Ozen is available at Boots in two forms: a daily-use toothpaste at £10 a tube, and an Oral Gel for £15. The gel is designed to be applied directly to sensitive areas before hot or cold drinks or other common sensitivity triggers.
