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A new way to grow teeth from gum cells has been discovered

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
 
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12 March 2013, 09:18

Experts from foggy London claim that in the near future it will be possible to restore patients' molars and replace missing ones with new teeth grown from gum cells.

Researchers from the UK (London) conducted the following experiment on small rodents: several healthy cells were taken from the gums of a healthy adult human, which were later introduced into the embryonic tissues of a laboratory mouse. After some time, the obtained cells were introduced into small rodents, where they successfully took root and formed a growing hybrid tooth from the tissues of the rodent and human.

Experts are confident that the success achieved in the course of such research will significantly bring modern medicine closer to the possibility of using such technologies in everyday life. Previously, scientists from Great Britain tried to create so-called "bioteeth" from embryonic stem cells.

A recent experiment involved taking gum epithelial cells from a healthy adult and growing them in a clinical setting. The grown cells were then injected into the embryonic tissue of white rodents. The cell combinations were successful and it can be said that the epithelial cells grew into new healthy teeth. The cells obtained by combining human epithelial cells and mouse embryonic tissue cells were injected into the rodents. After the cell transplant, the scientists reported that they had finally managed to grow hybrid teeth with a developing root from human and rodent cells. Previous studies have shown that the cell tissue can develop independently after transplantation and even turn into a full-fledged healthy tooth.

Scientists consider the possibility of a simple and not too expensive method of obtaining the human embryonic connective tissue needed for research to be a significant step forward in science. If it becomes possible to grow such tissue in the conditions of modern medicine, then the use of the above technology will become available to every modern hospital. One of the study's leaders reported that the required type of cells is found in the pulp of wisdom teeth and the main difficulty is obtaining a sufficient quantity.

Despite the difficulties, the scientists consider it a success that they have managed to identify the type of tissue needed to grow new healthy teeth. Future research will be aimed at discovering a fast and safe way to grow connective tissue. The study participants are confident that in a short time they will be able to create a replacement for the dental implants used today, which do not allow the restoration of the original tooth structure and are an artificial extension of it.

In addition, implants are considered not very reliable and durable due to the fact that the bone near the implant can wear out during friction. According to the head of the experiment, the new technology will be actively used in 10-15 years. The specialist believes that the main problem is the financial side: until an inexpensive way to obtain the necessary cells is found, the new method of restoring teeth will not be able to compete with implants, which are regularly used in modern dentistry.

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