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Tooth Regeneration Coming Soon

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.'"

2 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. Re:My opinion by LostCluster · · Score: -1, Redundant

    At least it doesn't have to suck.

  2. Re:A dime?! Luxury! by spartacus_prime · · Score: -1, Redundant

    You were lucky! When I was a lad, the tooth fairy yanked our teeth out with the Jaws of Life, and no anesthetic! For every tooth she yanked, we had to give a pound of our own shit as payment, which she forced us to eat with brussels sprouts and cabbage. Then when we came home, our father would thrash us to sleep with his dick.

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