Permanently losing your adult teeth and wearing dentures or implants may soon be a thing of the past. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York developed a process using stem cells that creates a replacement tooth in less than nine weeks. The teeth also retain the ability to conform to the natural changes that occur to the jaw bone over the course of time. This new method for replacing teeth is much more practical and cost effective than dental implants.
The Procedure [1]
A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Research reported the results of tooth regeneration by a process called “cell homing.” This novel method uses a carefully constructed bioscaffold impregnated with a growth factor that causes precursor cells to migrate to the site and become cells that make up teeth. Dr. Jeremy Mao and colleagues at the Columbia's Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory attached the scaffold with growth factor to an empty tooth socket. Stem cells surrounded the scaffold and formed a tooth of the correct shape and size to fit an individual’s mouth. This method eliminates the need to use harvested stem cell lines or the need to culture the implant in a petri dish only to then permanently place it fully formed in the jaw. Instead, the tooth is grown orthotopically, which means it develops in the socket itself where the tooth integrates with surrounding tissue in a natural process. Cell homing also regenerates ligaments and alveolar bone connected to the jaw, neither of which is possible with traditional dental implants, and makes for a much more effective and natural tooth replacement.
Comparison of two methods used in the dental implant process: (1) Traditional and (2) Cell Homing
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In nine weeks, a fully formed tooth is created, which is a significant time improvement over regular implants that can take almost two years to establish in a patient’s mouth. The new process is simpler, more natural, more cost effective (eliminates serial dental visits), and is longer lasting than traditional implants. This new implant method has been successfully tested on animal models but has not been tried on humans. Researchers are presently seeking approval for commercial development of the new implant technology.
Regrowing Your Own Teeth
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The option to grow a new natural tooth, especially for adults, is likely to appeal to patients. People would rather have their own teeth than false ones. The current research on regenerative science has enabled us to grow teeth and other body parts, which are examples of what we can achieve when modern day biology is applied to common clinical problems. The future of dental medicine and achieving and maintaining a healthy smile with our own natural, sound teeth looks promising.
Reference links:
1. http://thefutureofthings.com/news/9958/growing-dental-implants-in-place.html
Copyright ©2010 Joyce E.M. Wall
Comments
This is the most interesting health article I have read in years, this is such a great break through. It is amazing on top of it all! Great information here!
The thought of implants & dentures disappearing probably will not happen if this new technology becomes clinically available. Glasses & contact lenses didnt disappear when LASIK surgery was made available; I envision this new technology to also compliment the choices made available to dental patients. The thought of this technology coming to market is very exciting!
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