Scientists look to genes for teeth that can grow back

A single gene appears to be in charge, preventing additional tooth formation in species destined for a limited set. When the scientists bred mice that lacked that gene, the rodents developed extra teeth next to their first molars — backups like sharks and other non-mammals grow, University of Rochester scientists reported Thursday.

Tooth loss from gum disease is a major problem, here and abroad, and dentures or dental implants are far from perfect treatments. If scientists knew exactly what triggers a new tooth to grow in the first place, it's possible they could switch that early-in-life process on again during adulthood to regenerate teeth.

“It's exciting. We've got a clue what to do,” said Dr. Songtao Shi of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, who said the Rochester discovery will help his own research into how to grow a new tooth from scratch.

Also intriguing: All the mice born without this gene, called Osr2, had cleft palates severe enough to kill. So better understanding of this gene might play a role in efforts to prevent that birth defect, the Rochester team reported in the journal Science.

The Osr2 gene can be thought of as a control switch, a kind of gene that turns on and off the downstream actions of other genes and proteins. In that mesenchymal tissue, the Osr2 gene works in concert with two other genes to make sure budding teeth form in the right spot, said lead researcher Dr. Rulang Jiang, a geneticist at Rochester's Center for Oral Biology.

“It's almost a self-generating propagation of the signal” that leads to one tooth after another forming all in a row, he explained.

SHARE CLOSE
Blogger		Google+
Live Journal		Plurk
Stumble Upon

Tweet

	PREVIOUS ARTICLE
	Test drug boosts mobility in some MS patients: study

NEXT ARTICLE
Octuplets' mother at center of rival porn company offers

5 Comments

Submit Your Comment

May 4, 2010    zion72@

Reply

Growing new teeth can happen. I know a woman that had her teeth pulled out to wear false teeth and 7 grew back in. She had them pulled to wear her false teeth.

May 5, 2010    johnny.brian@

Reply

Wow! That’s incredible. Ironically and sadly, she had them pulled. If I my teeth grown back, I can throw away my false teeth instead. I ate a lot of sweets when I was young boy.

June 2, 2010    hopperbren49@

Reply

I went to a dentist who made a mesh of my top front teeth. I would give anything to grow my own teeth. I hope the technology to grow your teeth will soon be here. If any one knows if there is any trial for growing teeth, would you let me know? Thank you. John

November 6, 2010    barrydgillingham@

Reply

I got two molar teeth pulled out on my bottom right side, and I was wondering if anyone knew from experience how to grow them back?

April 6, 2012    ERIEBAKER@

Reply

I have one tooth pulled out and I would love to grow it back. Please help!!!

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email

Submit