1. New Dentistry
Wouldn't it be nice to grow a new tooth to replace a broken or infected one? That's what the new area of dentistry called regenerative dentistry encompasses. Dr. Paul Sharpe, a researcher into dentistry at King's College in London, created the name for the new field. Regenerative dentistry uses the facts known about the creation of teeth in children and attempts to apply and control the information to create new teeth in adult patients.
2. Prototypes Called Proto-teeth
Proto-teeth are hidden away in the gums of babies. These eventually become teeth. They are usually referred to as primordia and are the result of interaction between two cell types. One cell type is the epithelial and the other the mesenchymal. When they are put together artificially they create a form that is just like the primordium.
3. The Elements for a Tooth
In order to make a tooth, you need a few undifferentiated embryonic cells. These cells can become anything when they are fully developed. Once the cells form a piece of tissue, the makeup calls for a piece of oral epithelium placed on the top. Since the oral epithelium are genetically mapped to become teeth they send messages to the stem cells and those cells become the other half of the tooth recipe, the mesenchymal cells. At present those tooth buds grown in the pleasant surrounding of a mouse kidney eventually becomes a tooth.
4. Why Not Now?
The genetics of the tooth bud becomes the problem. Genes control the shape and growth of the tooth. Could you imagine a molar sticking out the front of your mouth? That 's a possibility if the wrong gene begins the cascade of genes. The gene the Barx1 forms the shape for the molar, scientists now believe. Only one gene, the first in the process, is necessary for the development of the tooth.
5. Coming Soon to a Dentist in Your Neighborhood
Dr. Paul Sharpe believes so firmly in his discovery that he already formed a company, Odontis, to develop the technique further. He has received an endowment to continue the research. Once the ball or tooth bud forms it is implanted. After a few weeks the type of tooth that it becomes is evident. Even though the tests are positive when grown in mice, there have not been trials in humans. When this is successful aging populations all over the globe can eat taffy apples again.
