Biogrow Living Teeth? Not Yet…But Here’s the Next Best Thing
In our technology driven world, it can be hard to distinguish science fact from science fiction anymore. Did you hear the news that biologists have recently successfully managed to grow a human/mouse hybrid tooth using the manipulation of DNA from human gum cells and the fetal cells of a mouse?
According to a study recently published in the Journal of Dental Research, Professor Paul Sharpe and his team at King’s College London’s dental institute have discovered a possible method of bioengineering replacements for lost teeth, using epithelial gingival (surface layer) cells from the gums of adult humans and mixing them with mesenchymal cells from embryonic mice. Those cells were then implanted into a protective area around the kidneys of living mice, where about 20% of the implanted epithelial cells were coaxed into growth by the embryonic mesenchymal cells, and proceeded to grow into living human/mouse hybrid teeth containing dentine and enamel, and having root-like structures.
While the exciting prospect of being able to “biogrow” a living tooth may a possibility in the laboratory, it’s obviously still a very long way from being a form of tooth replacement technology that would actually be available to consumers. At Smiles Dental Studio of Sacramento, Dr. Khan may not be able to grow you a new living tooth, but she is committed to providing you with the next best thing- a dentist who is on top of the latest technologies available.
If you need to fill a gap where you’ve lost a tooth, be it due to accident, decay, or any other reason, Dr. Khan has a wide range of tooth replacement options that might be right for you. Some patients need a dental implant to replace an entire missing tooth, others might be able to function for years with a custom-made crown to repair a tooth that can still be saved.
Veneers can repair teeth with cosmetic issues and small flaws, and some people need a bridge to fill areas that are missing teeth. When you book a consultation with Dr. Khan to talk about your tooth replacement needs, you can be sure that she will take the time to fully evaluate your problems, give you an overview of your various options, and provide you with a complete understanding of the treatment recommendations that she really feels will work best for you.