Will the Future Allow Human Growth of Replacement Teeth?

Permanent teeth are exceptionally strong. They really do weather a great deal of wear and tear. Unfortunately, humans are only allotted one set in their lifetimes. Fortunately, advancements in modern dentistry have provided a wide array of replacement possibilities for lost teeth. Permanent teeth replacements are designed to restore both form and function to damaged smiles. Still, up until recently prosthetics didn’t come close to comparability to natural teeth. Dental implants have come the closest over recent years, and if you are missing teeth, they are the way to go. But what if you could just grow lost teeth back the way sharks and alligators do? The Institute of Biotechnology in Helsinki, Finland is tackling this quandary. Park Ridge implant dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas, will share details of these findings.

New Permanent Tooth Growth?

Stem cells have been a huge area of scientific research since their discovery in the late 20^th century. The potential power of the biological powerhouses has proven the versatility of the cells which draws parallels to universal blood type O positive. Stem cells can potentially be manipulated to replace any other cell type. To replace a missing tooth, these cells only require  a detailed set of instructions to form the correct structure and tissues. Research led by Professor Irma Thesleff in Finland examined the incisors of laboratory mice. Mice are another animal which grow teeth continuously throughout their lives. The mechanisms responsible for human tooth growth are not that different from mice, however. So, by studying the stem cells responsible for the continuous growth of rodent incisors, the research team uncovered a marker for dental stem cells which could prove huge regarding the future of human teeth replacement.

A Long Way to Go

Though the results of the research study offer the hope of future natural growth of replacement teeth in humans, a great deal of further data and efforts are necessary before actual human trials will become prudent.  Fortunately, you don’t have to wait that long to replace your missing teeth if you should lose any. The Drs. Loukas are both skilled and experienced at helping patients regain their smiles and quality of life thanks to replacement teeth supported by titanium implants. Dental implants are comprised of biocompatible tooth root replacement rods which provide a sturdy and stable foundation for a realistic porcelain dental crown or set of dentures.

Visit the Dental Implant Experts in Park Ridge

To learn more about modern replacement teeth and dental implants, schedule an appointment with your Park Ridge implant dentists by calling Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.