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Tooth Regeneration Coming Soon

Posted by kdawson on from the no-fairy-tale dept.

Ponca City, We love you writes "For thousands of years, losing teeth has been a routine part of human aging. Now the Washington Post reports that researchers are close to growing important parts of teeth from stem cells, including creating a living root from scratch, perhaps within one year. According to Pamela Robey of the NIH. 'Dentists say, "Give me a root and I can put a crown on it."' In a few years dentists will treat periodontal disease with regeneration by using stem cells to create hard and soft tissue; they will take out a tooth that is about to fall, and reconnect it firmly to the regenerated tissue. Although nobody is predicting when it will be possible to grow teeth on demand, in adults, to replace missing ones, a common guess is five to ten years. Baby and wisdom teeth are sources of stem cells that could be 'banked' for future health needs, says Robey. 'When you think about it, the teeth children put under their pillows may end up being worth much more than the tooth fairy's going rate. Plus, if you still have your wisdom teeth, it's nice to know you're walking around with your own source of stem cells.'"

3 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. Where's my GM Strep Mutans? by Dun+Malg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Screw growing back teeth, I want to know when we can have the genetically modified Streptococcus Mutans. Like 5 years ago, researchers announced they'd developed a strain of s.mutans (the bacteria responsible for most tooth decay) that doesn't excrete lactic acid. Once subjects' mouths were inoculated, the modified s.mutans completely took over, pushing the damaging strain out. Once inoculated you're theoretically 99% cavity free for the rest of your life. Is the ADA lobbying to keep it off the market because fillings and such are such a big money maker? Wouldn't surprise me.

    --
    If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    1. Re:Where's my GM Strep Mutans? by Plantain · · Score: 5, Informative

      Where are they? In the final stages of FDA clinical trials.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caries_vaccine

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      No, but I did throw granola at a deaf person once
  2. Re:Well, now that just SUCKS. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    My girlfriend swears she likes the taste... I've decided I can accept that.

    Give her a treat by drinking lots of pineapple juice or eating bananas or papayas. Also, lay off the red meat, alcohol, and coffee.

    The fruits will make it sweeter while red meat, alcohol and coffee will make it bitter.

    What will you do when she wants more than you can produce? She will suck you out!

    Wheat germ can help you produce more.