nanocalcium hydroxide

Nanocalcium hydroxide is an inorganic nanoparticle formulation of calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2$) typically ranging in size from 100 to 400 nm. It is primarily developed for use in endodontics as an intracanal medicament to disinfect the root canal system. Due to its nanoscale dimensions, it possesses a significantly higher surface area-to-volume ratio compared to traditional micron-sized calcium hydroxide, which allows for deeper penetration into dentinal tubules and more efficient release of calcium and hydroxyl ions. Its antimicrobial mechanism is driven by the maintenance of a highly alkaline environment ($pH > 12$), which denatures bacterial proteins, damages cell membranes through lipid peroxidation, and causes genomic damage to DNA. This enhanced activity is particularly relevant in treating persistent infections caused by pathogens such as *Enterococcus faecalis*. Additionally, nanocalcium hydroxide is being explored for environmental applications, including the removal of phosphorus from wastewater via precipitation into hydroxyapatite.

Other names

nano-sized calcium hydroxidenanoparticulate calcium hydroxidenano-Ca(OH)2nanocrystalline calcium hydroxide