Tooth fairies rejoice: Regrowing teeth could become a reality

[TexasTowelie]

No one likes going to the dentist, but you only get one set of permanent teeth so you need to take care of and preserve them for a lifetime.

That situation may be about to change. New research in Japan has shown regrowing a tooth to replace a missing one may not be that far out in the future.

In humans, teeth are programed during development to a set number. After we lose our baby teeth, we grow 32 teeth as an adult. This includes four wisdom teeth that develop later. Some people don’t have all four wisdom teeth and, in rare cases, some people produce additional teeth, called supernumerary teeth.

Scientists have been looking into the genetic factors and molecular processes required to grow extra teeth. Research teams have found the formation of supernumerary teeth is prevented by a single gene called Usag-1, which stands for uterine sensitization-associated gene-1.

Read more: https://www.galvnews.com/health/free/article_a3f57fb3-602e-5821-942f-8d98318e3d00.html
(Galveston County Daily News)

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. I hope this becomes

Available for everyone and I mean everyone..

Not only for rich assholes who get everything.

While people with failing teeth who are poor get pushed aside.

Let this be affordable for everybody and easy to get done.

[C Moon]

4. I agree with you 100%!!

[Merlot]

2. I had a supernumerary tooth. Had no idea there was a name and gene for it.

I wonder if that would make it easier for me to grow a new one. I've been putting off getting an implant due to the outrageous cost.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Actually, it means that you are genetically-deficient.

However, I believe it does make you a better candidate to regrow a tooth.

As far as implants are concerned, my advice as a denture wearer is as follows:

1) What is the condition of the rest of your teeth? If they are in good condition, then the cost of an implant is worth it. However, if the rest of your teeth are falling apart or if you are young and already have a lot of crowns and root canals then it probably isn't a good investment.
2) If you are considering dentures in the future, wearing dentures for the upper teeth does work reasonably well and the teeth stay in place because there is a plate that forms a seal against the palate. Lower dentures are less successful since the only thing holding them in place is the lower gumline so they tend to shift and are less comfortable to wear. An implant makes better sense along the lower gum line.

[tanyev]

5. Cool, but how about something for gum tissue?