There’s so much interesting, exciting and almost fantastical research underway these days that you can hardly open a newspaper or news magazine or visit a news web site without seeing something that makes you want to read more.
A recent online article from Fast Company magazine covered a successful experiment by researchers in the United Kingdom who were able to bioengineer teeth from gum tissue and cells taken from mice. According to the article’s author, the researchers were able to grow full teeth, complete with roots, dentine and enamel by combining and transplanting two groups of cells.
Needless to say, it’s easy to see that such a bio-tooth would be superior to even the best artificial implant. A bio-tooth would be “natural” with a normal root structure and connections to the bone. It would, therefore be less susceptible to the gradual loss of bone caused by the friction that implants tend to create during eating and jaw action.
Of course, the gap between successful research results and affordable, “real life” availability exists in this situation as it does with most other research projects. Professor Paul Sharpe, who leads the research, said that the aim is to produce bio-teeth costing under $1,500 each, but that’s at least five years away, assuming everything falls into place to fund further development and commercialize the work.
Once again, in the meantime, here at Pine Mountain Dental Care of Kennesaw, we can work with technology and products that are currently available to give you the best choices possible for dental repairs, gum care and cosmetic procedures. And as soon as safe, affordable new options are available, you can be sure we’ll be up to speed so that we can offer them to our patients.
Give us a call at 770-426-0503 to discuss options for any issues you may be having with your teeth or gums or just to make an appointment for a regular check-up and cleaning. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
