Stem-Cell Dental Implants Grow New Teeth Right In Your Mouth

[KamaAina]

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-05/new-technique-uses-bodys-stem-cells-regenerate-teeth

The loss of a tooth is a minor deformity and a major pain. Although dental implants are available, the healing process can take months on end, and implants that fail to align with the ever-growing jawbone tend to fall out. If only adult teeth could be regenerated, right?

According to a study published in the latest Journal of Dental Research, a new tissue regeneration technique may allow people to simply regrow a new set of pearly whites.

Dr. Jeremy Mao, the Edward V. Zegarelli Professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, has unveiled a growth factor-infused, three-dimensional scaffold with the potential to regenerate an anatomically correct tooth in just nine weeks from implantation. By using a procedure developed in the university's Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Dr. Mao can direct the body's own stem cells toward the scaffold, which is made of natural materials. Once the stem cells have colonized the scaffold, a tooth can grow in the socket and then merge with the surrounding tissue.

Dr. Mao's technique not only eliminates the need to grow teeth in a Petri dish, but it is the first to achieve regeneration of anatomically correct teeth by using the body's own resources. Factor in the faster recovery time and the comparatively natural process of regrowth (as opposed to implantation), and you have a massively appealing dental treatment.

[arcane1]

1. That sounds like a game-changer to me.

It will probably be insanely expensive though.

[PearliePoo2]

2. This article is from May 2010. Any progress made in 5 years?

I wonder how the process is coming?
I have a broken tooth and I'd love it if my body could grow a new one! Amazing.

[olddots]

3. what does grow from this procedure ?

Dentist's bank accounts

[eppur_se_muova]

15. I need this done -- happy to pay a dentist to do it, if I can afford it.

Remember what the mechanic said: "It's fifty cents for tightening the bolt; ninety-nine fifty for knowing which bolt to tighten."

People who spend years acquiring specialized knowledge and equipment have every right to charge the going rate for their expertise. As for the cost -- I'm very surprised it's less than $5k. As several other posters noted, it's competitive with getting a new crown, which is not exactly a perfect repair.

[moondust]

4. $2500-3500?

I can't verify the source or accuracy of this article but it says: "Stem cell implants will cost you around $2500-3500." I have no idea if that is per tooth or what.

http://mirrorsmagazine.com/stem-cell-tooth-regeneration-cost

[Arugula Latte]

5. Probably. Regular implants cost at least that much.

[RebelOne]

6. I had been checking the price of implants

because I want to get them for lost teeth. The price averages to about $1,000 to $900 per tooth.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. That sounds cheap. I just paid $2k for a crown.

My customer told me he paid $6k for an implant with post years after a crowned tooth finally gave up.

[Arugula Latte]

14. Wow, I think I paid at least $2,000 and maybe even $3,000 for mine.

It was done in several stages over a long time so it's a bit hazy. There were some big bills, though.

[Oilwellian]

7. I had to have a front, bottom tooth pulled

and my periodontist glued it back in, minus the root. LOL Has anyone else had that done? That was nearly two years ago and no problems so far. Sure was a lot cheaper than the procedure in the OP, which is totally awesome by the way, and I love that it's so non-invasive.

[panader0]

8. I know a guy (a drummer) who did it himself with superglue.

I wish they'd hurry up on this stem cell stuff. I've had a toothache from hell all day.
Related: why is dental not part of the ACA?

[miyazaki]

9. Cue the drummer jokes. What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?

Homeless.

[KamaAina]

13. Did you hear the one about the band who locked themselves out of their van?

It took them 45 minutes to get the drummer out.

[lonestarnot]

11. Wow dats cool.

[Orrex]

12. Sign me the fuck up!

[WilliamPitt]

16. This is the kind of thing Bush & Co. delayed for years

because of "Snowflake Babies."

[bettyellen]

17. From what I read they're still experimenting on mice- and one woman who was in a horrible

Accident where they are trying to use the cells to regrow jaw bone too. Interesting, but not available yet to the general public.