Japanese scientists led by Takashi Tsuji (Takashi Tsuji), after years of research, have finally presented the world with proof that a new tooth can be grown using bioengineering technology, reports BBC.News.
The new teeth have functionality and stiffness identical to conventional teeth, and studies have shown that the nerve fibers permeating the pulp and periodontal ligaments of the grown teeth have a proper perceptual response to external influences, such as heat or surgery.
Our study is the first to provide scientific evidence for the successful transplantation of a bioengineered sprout created in vitro into living tissue to grow a complete functional and biological replica of the organ to be replaced, in this case a tooth, says Takashi Tsui.
So far, the new teeth have been demonstrated only in rodent test subjects, but scientists soon promise that the new technology will allow to regenerate human teeth as well. The study was published in Proceeding of the National Academy of Science.
Scientists predict that this technique can be implemented for the treatment of human teeth in 2020.