Scientists Grow Human-like Replacement Teeth in Lab, Successfully Implant in Pig’s Mouth
In a groundbreaking development, researchers have successfully grown human-like “replacement teeth” in a laboratory setting and implanted them in a miniature pig’s mouth. The study, published in the journal Stem Cells Transitional Medicine, marks a significant step towards creating replacement teeth for human patients.
Led by Pamela Yelick and her postdoctoral fellow Weibo Zhang at Tufts University, the research team utilized a combination of bovine and human tooth cells grown inside pig teeth fragments. The choice of pig jaws for the experiment was strategic, given pigs’ ability to grow multiple sets of teeth throughout their lifetimes.
The bioengineering process involved sourcing cells from pig jaws obtained from slaughterhouses. This latest experiment builds upon previous studies where pig-human hybrid teeth were grown on biodegradable scaffolds and implanted into rats’ abdomens due to size constraints.
In the current iteration, researchers constructed scaffolds from bovine teeth and implanted them in mini-pigs’ jaws. After two months, the lab-grown teeth were extracted and found to have developed hard layers of dentin and cementum. While described as “toothlike,” the structures are not yet perfectly formed.
“This research represents a significant advancement in our quest to develop functional biological tooth substitutes for human dental implants,” said Dr. Yelick. “While we’re not quite there yet, these results are extremely promising.”
The study is part of a broader scientific effort to develop medicine capable of growing new teeth, potentially revolutionizing the field of dentistry and dental implants. As research progresses, Yelick and Zhang remain optimistic about achieving fully formed replacement teeth in the future.
This innovative approach to dental regeneration could have far-reaching implications for patients requiring tooth replacements, offering a potential alternative to traditional dental implants. As the scientific community continues to monitor these developments, the possibility of bio-engineered teeth becoming a reality for human patients draws ever closer.
