Scientists managed to grow whole tooth from stem cells. The artificial teeth like a natural tooth. Interestingly, this tooth is also sensitive to pain and able to chew food. This new breakthrough tested in mice. Scientists say, this solution will be applied to human teeth dated. Scientists harness the power of stem cells to grow new teeth.
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| A bioengineered tooth, bottom right, successfully transplanted into the jaw of a mouse. (Picture from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/) |
This is done by mixing the two stem cells and grow them in the lab in a mixture of chemicals and vitamins to start the transformation. After five days, 'tooth buds' appeared and placed in a plastic box in the body of rats. Within 60 days, the teeth grow into perfect teeth. Although it sounds strange, put the tooth bud into the body serves to ensure the tooth buds have access to fluids and chemical signals that are needed to develop further.
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| The tooth bud, marked with fluorescent dye, shortly after transplantation. (Picture from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/) |
When fully grown teeth, the teeth are removed and implanted into the jaw. In six weeks, as reported by the journal PLoS ONE, was united with jaw teeth. Artificial teeth have all the components of the original teeth, including enamel, crown and root, and connective fibers for bone repair.
"The artificial teeth to function perfectly. Nobody biting and eating problems after planting," said Masamitsu Oshima, assistant professor of Research Institute for Science and Technology Tokyo University of Science. Because the research is still in its early stages, researchers say it took at least a decade before anyone can really 'grow their own teeth.'
Hurdles to be overcome include finding a suitable source of stem cells for use in the human mouth. Damien Walmsley, scientific advisor to the British Dental Association, warned the bioengineering was still a long way from being something that will directly benefit patients.
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