A team from King "s College London (Great Britain) teeth were regenerated from the cells of the gums. Results, they say, could, in the future, replace missing teeth by pieces that grow from cells of the gums .
Experts tissue cells obtained from adult gum and combined with other types of cells from mice to grow a tooth. Scientists say using a ready source of cells, the technique could be available to patients in the future.
Previous studies have focused on the use of embryonic stem cells to create "biodientes". However, although it has been shown that it is possible to grow a tooth, it is expensive and impractical method for daily use in the clinic.
->
In this latest study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, the researchers obtained the epithelial cells of the gums of patients and developed some more in the laboratory for mixing with mesenchymal cells (a type of stem cells) from mice.
According to the coordinator of the work Paul Sharpe, mesenchymal cells might be found in the pulp of wisdom teeth, among other places, but the challenge is to get enough of them, reported ABC.es.
"This breakthrough means that we have identified a population of cells that could be seen in the dental use. We are working to try to identify a simple way to obtain embryonic cells, "said Sharpe.
He added: "The challenge, from now on, is to identify a way to cultivate cells (human) to be adult mesenchymal inducer".
Sharpe said the hope is that one day the technology could replace today's dental implants, which can not reproduce a structure from the natural root. In addition, friction in eating and other jaw movements can cause wear on the bone around the implant.
Access to the other topics for more