Scientists have successfully grown a tooth germ from a patient’s own cells that can be implanted into the jaw and form a new tooth, even in adults. This breakthrough could potentially make artificial tooth implants obsolete. According to a study by the University College London, dental check-ups are being neglected worldwide, leading to an increase in dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and mouth cancer. The need for dental implants is on the rise, with approximately 3.5 billion people suffering from dental problems globally.
Researchers at the Technical University of Berlin have developed a method to grow tooth germs from root cells of patients, which can form a completely new tooth in the jaw. The initial experiments with cell cultures have been successful, showing the potential of this approach. The scientists discovered that precursor cells for the growth of new teeth are stored in the jaw throughout life but are rarely activated in adults. They investigated whether it was possible to trigger the production of new teeth when needed.
The researchers obtained dental pulp cells from the inside of a wisdom tooth, which were then developed into stem cell-like cells through a special cultivation method. These precursor cells were then condensed into a new tooth germ in a hydrogel nutrient medium. The scientists were able to prove that this independent mesenchymal condensation triggers the expression of various genes and the production of specific messengers that interact with the surrounding jaw tissue and trigger the formation of a new tooth.
The tooth germ was then implanted into a culture with gum cells, and a new human tooth was formed in the culture dish, just like in natural tooth formation. Unlike tooth germs from embryonic stem cells, the tooth germ from the patient’s own cells is not expected to cause rejection reactions. Furthermore, ethical concerns associated with experiments with stem cells can be avoided. However, before the method can be used on patients, preclinical tests need to be conducted.
In conclusion, this breakthrough in dental research could potentially revolutionize dental care and make artificial tooth implants obsolete. The method of growing tooth germs from a patient’s own cells could provide a more natural and long-lasting solution to dental problems.
