Researchers grow teeth from gum cells

[The Straight Story]

Dentists may one day be able to replace missing teeth with ones newly grown from gum cells, say UK researchers.

The team from King's College London took cells from adult human gum tissue and combined them with another type of cell from mice to grow a tooth.

They say using a readily available source of cells pushes the technology a step nearer to being available to patients.

But it is still likely to be many years before dentists can use the method.

Other work has focused on using embryonic stem cells to create "bioteeth".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21718402

[KittyWampus]

1. You post the most interesting stuff

[The Straight Story]

2. I get around ;) (nt)

[talkingmime]

3. That's really weird.

[longship]

4. Test subject attests that his new teeth are great.

His wife said that she does not understand his recent cravings for cheese, something he denies. However, he does admit a deathly fear for Fluffy, his wife's cat.

Nice work, boys!

[derby378]

5. "Once the enamel's gone, it's gone for good." "Wrong, it's BIOTOOTH TIME! YIPPEE!"

"You have the body of an 80-year-old, but the teeth of a 20-year-old. I do hope you're flossing?"

All goofiness aside, this is really spectacular news.

[surrealAmerican]

6. skelegrow?

fascinating.

[fadedrose]

7. It's about damn time....nt

[Thor_MN]

8. As long as the teeth don't keep growing like mice teeth...

I'd hate to have to gnaw constantly.

[duffyduff]

9. I hope I can get this before all my teeth rot out

or before I die, whichever comes first.

[annabanana]

10. Now THIS is the kind of stem cell research I've been waiting for!

Next step.. find the gene that keeps sharks regenerating teeth for their whole lives and plug it into people.

Our teeth have not evolved to match our expanded lifetimes.