Jakarta, INTI - What would happen if one day your adult teeth fell out, but could grow back naturally without the need for dentures? This question is beginning to find its answer through scientific research in the United States. Two researchers from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Pamela Yelick and Weibo Zhang, successfully created a human tooth-like structure from pig jaw cells. The findings were published in December 2024 and were highlighted in a report by MIT Technology Review.
From Pig Jaws to Human Teeth
In the experiment, Yelick and Zhang took advantage of the pig's unique ability to grow teeth multiple times throughout its life. They took cells from the pig's jaw, specifically cells that had not yet developed into teeth, and engineered the cells to form a tooth structure resembling that of a human.
Although not perfect, the results are said to be very close to natural teeth. “Very similar to teeth,” said Pamela Yelick, who led the research. The findings are a significant advance in the effort to create new teeth without the need for implants.
More than Just an Implant
This research caught the attention of other experts, including Cristiane Miranda Franca from Oregon Health and Science University. Although she was not involved in the project, Franca mentions that the artificial teeth have characteristics that conventional implants lack, such as the ability to blend naturally with the gums and jawbone.
“This is a step forward towards functional, lab-grown human teeth,” Franca said.
Towards the Future of Tooth Regeneration
If this research continues to progress, the future of dentistry could change drastically. Imagine, instead of using dentures, a person could simply undergo a regenerative procedure to regrow their natural teeth. This technology could be a permanent solution for the millions of people around the world who have lost their teeth due to accidents, disease, or age.
Conclusion
Research conducted at Tufts University opens up a huge opportunity for the future of tooth regeneration. With an animal cell engineering approach, humans may one day no longer need artificial dental implants, but instead be able to regrow lost teeth naturally.
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