The scientists grew the first teeth from stem cells

Japanese scientists have learned how to grow new teeth from the so-called stem cells, and directly into the mouth of the patient.

Treatment and especially dental prosthetics - almost all of us, the process is unpleasant, not to mention its price. In addition, the production of artificial limbs do not always end well - the body can not immediately and sometimes never gets used to the artificial teeth and rejects them. Japanese doctors seem to come close to solving this problem. They learned how to grow new teeth from the so-called stem cells, and directly into the mouth of the patient.

However, until the wonderful technology have experienced only the laboratory mouse. Scientists from Tokyo University of Science identified in animals, two types of stem cells, containing all the necessary for the growth of dental material. Recall stem cells - a special cell in the body capable of in the process of its growth to transform into cells of any organs and tissues.

Of these, most cells of physicians grew tiny "germs" mouse teeth in vitro. They were then transplanted into the jaw bone of a mouse in the place where this tooth was removed. Five weeks later from the gums animal cut a new tooth. Fully grown it two weeks later.

Describing his success in the journal «Proceedings» National Academy of Sciences of the United States, the scientists emphasized that artificially created tooth completely functional and in no way inferior to the present.

- Each tooth is grown and organic whole of the gums and jaw, and contains all of the same fabric as the present - dentin, enamel, pulp, blood vessels and nerve fibers, and so on - said party development Dr. Katsuhisa Nakao. He also said that his hairy patients did not experience any problems with the absorption of food, that is, presumably, the teeth do not hurt and did not bring them discomfort.

The original material, ie, stem cells, scientists were taken from mouse embryos. Human stem cells are extracted in much the same way - this method is the simplest and most effective, but many countries have banned it for ethical reasons. The Japanese, however, hoping that they needed to get the cells can be from other tissues. For example, even one source of stem cells is the skin.

Technology developers have looked for a suitable material in the human body. In addition, they learn to control the size of the artificial tooth - as the first experimental samples were slightly less than the natural teeth in mice - and the speed of its growth. After all, a person's teeth grow more slowly than the beast, it may take several months or even years.

In any case, the technology can become a true revolution in dentistry, allowing patients to refuse bridges, implants and crowns. Moreover, the estimated price of a bio-tooth slightly above the expected value of the same ceramic. However, much to hope for the Japanese doctors now and rip boring prosthesis is not necessary. Refinement and testing technology, according to preliminary estimates, will take about another 15 years.