Human molar scaffolding Dr. Jeremy Mao has unveiled a technique that directs the body's stem cells into a scaffolding that will aid in the regeneration of a new tooth. Columbia University Medical Center

The loss of a tooth is a minor deformity and a major pain. Although dental implants are available, the healing process can take months on end, and implants that fail to align with the ever-growing jawbone tend to fall out. If only adult teeth could be regenerated, right?

According to a study published in the latest Journal of Dental Research, a new tissue regeneration technique may allow people to simply regrow a new set of pearly whites.

Dr. Jeremy Mao, the Edward V. Zegarelli Professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, has unveiled a growth factor-infused, three-dimensional scaffold with the potential to regenerate an anatomically correct tooth in just nine weeks from implantation. By using a procedure developed in the university's Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Dr. Mao can direct the body's own stem cells toward the scaffold, which is made of natural materials. Once the stem cells have colonized the scaffold, a tooth can grow in the socket and then merge with the surrounding tissue.

Dr. Mao's technique not only eliminates the need to grow teeth in a Petri dish, but it is the first to achieve regeneration of anatomically correct teeth by using the body's own resources. Factor in the faster recovery time and the comparatively natural process of regrowth (as opposed to implantation), and you have a massively appealing dental treatment.

Columbia University has already filed patent applications in regard to the technology and is seeking associates to aid in its commercialization. In the meantime, Dr. Mao is considering the best approach for applying his technique to cost-effective clinical therapies.

[Columbia University Medical Center]

30 Comments

bye bye denture company's

lol phyildo

That scaffolding looks kinda fragile... I suppose you can only drink protein shakes for those 9 weeks?

as someone who just had a cracked tooth removed I am glad to hear this.

Any idea of how long before this is in the field, or at least in trials?

Any idea on the cost, time frame, and dexterity of the new teeth?

@Drewpers A new tooth and a weight loss plan! It's perfect!

Sweeeet. Scenario

Person #1: Arrgggh. I broke my tooth
Clinic: Ahh, we'll fix it for you. It'll look just like new.
Person #1: Really? Awesome. How much would it cost?
Clinic: Oh, just 8-10 grand.
Person #1: ^$%^*& &^%(%($@$^$%$

Ten years later....

News Reporter: This just in, a new type of teeth cancer has been discovered. Teeth are growing everywhere in the jaw, due to stem cells implants.

- Sorry for being too cynical, but this is just a thought for the soul.

Where can I volunteer for human trials?

AH-ha! that's too funny nhan1st

Is carbon nano involved in the 'natural' base form?
Why is there no history of dental implants on the web?
Stem cell apps are way in the future.

People commonly used to save up and have a gold tooth put in as a status symbol.

The latest info re implants is that they fail when going the high-tech, surgical implant route. Returning to implanting when extracting same as always for last 100 or so years as works. Additional stress on body not necessary.

Vital to consider in this time of toxicity and depressed immunity with bacteria and mutating fungi rampant.

.....so long as it doesn't also regrow the nerve endings...

After twenty years of loneliness, Dr. Jeremy Mao discovers a way to reunite with his boyhood crush, the tooth fairy.

Nice, I just hope the cells don't go crazy and grow you some fangs :)
Ivan Malagurski

@ivan:

What are you talking about? Fangs would be awesome! :D

but on a serious note: this is a great development. i just hope that the following isn't true concerning the stem cells:

If it uses embryonic cells, it'll be just another tool for the christian extremists to label as the work of their devil. if this does happen, it'd better not stifle the growth of this amazing tech.

if it doesn't use embryo's, then whatever. :)

"Fangs would be awesome" if you are an ER tech making bank off of the number of emo-tweens who have mauled themselves on their new Twilight teeth when they tried to eat.

Or one of the dentist making double bank putting in the emo-fangs on the kids of spinless suburbia moms who haven't learned that love is spelled "N" "O" when you are a parent.

I do like this tech, however, if it DOES regrow nerve endings - as that is how it will advance tech for regrowing other lost parts of the body (like fingers and toes).

Awesome!I hope that everyone had a nice Memorial Day last week and I hope that they have another nice Memorial Day next week.

@atheist
You've got to be kidding me. Why can't you post a comment without calling every christian an idiot? Why? It's offensive to christian and non-christian alike.

Now you no longer have to take out your teeth to soak overnight, you'll have to think of a new way to creep out the grandkids!

Anyone notice the part where it says the body's own stem cells? I don't know about you, but I haven't had embryonic stem cells for a long time.

One thing that makes me wary - it would seem that a technique to build back enamel on existing teeth would be easier than building a new tooth, but I haven't seen that yet.

Super, I believe you need to re-read atheist's comments. It doesn't appear that you understoodthem. He did not remotely make a generalization of Christians, and specified Christian extremists- which are the primary opposition to using embryonic stemcells.

To jtdavies,

Everyone has stem cells in their bodies as you are constantly creating new cells, and stem cells are used in that process. The embryonic stem cells are sought after because they can grow intro any kind of cells whereas other the stem cells can only create certain kinds of cells.

I have actually seen a dentist that claims she can regrow enamel and is in trial on it, but the reference is years old and she was only going to do it for Japan, and had no plans on doing for the rest of the world.

If you click on the link in the second paragraph of this article, you can get answers and a more detailed explanation of how this process works. It sounds great to me. I have a partial and am not a candidate for implants. I'm curious how the nine weeks of growth works as far as eating and drinking go, but would be willing to do whatever it took to get some decent teeth.

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I do believe this is just about the most awesome thing I have ever heard. Loving the thought of this actually working.

Going to the "dentist" will soon be as easy as going to the barber shop.

In fact, if it gets cheap and easy enough, why not go every month for repairs, regrowth, rework, to keep your smile perfect, for $30 a month.

This is simple brilliant. I guess now I can see my grandpa with his own teeths :)
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How do I volunteer for a whole set of new teeth? I'll be a guinea pig!

The heck with fangs.

I'd be happy with normal length incisors, canines, and bicuspids; preferably with a decent layer of enamel on them.

I love it! I knew they were getting results with lab animals and I guessed it was just a matter of time before it becomes available for humans... Of course, I want it now! It will be a great partner with my adult stem cell enhancer product which supports the release of 25% more adult stem cells in circulation from the bone marrow. Educate yourself: www.MakeMoreStemCells.com

The good thing about capitalism is that we get the better mouse trap right? But better for who? I bet this invention gets squashed as in "who killed the electric car?"


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