Growing New Teeth With Stem Cells - Odontis

In 2004 scientists at King's College London set up a company called Odontis. They have been working on developing human teeth from stem cells. This biological replacement tooth has been trademarked as BioTooth.

The idea is to take adult stem cells, treat them in a cell culture so they would be programmed to develop into teeth and then transplanted into the patients jaw where the gap is. Then a replacement tooth grows just as happens when humans grow their original adult teeth. It is thought it would then take two to three months for the tooth to fully develop. The cost should not be more than existing treatments making it an attractive alternative to other technologies such as implants and dentures.

By 2007 Dr. Paul Sharpe and his team had learned to control the type of tooth formed and control the basic shapes, i.e. molar, incisor. Tooth development involves a network of thousands of genes. It's not necessary to understand what all the genes are doing to get the ball rolling, Sharpe says. Rather, by watching when a few key genes are turned on and off, the researchers have learned which are most important in the control of size and shape. Some genes only work in the upper jaw, others only where molars grow. In one experiment, Sharpe's team took early tooth buds from growing embryos and switched on a gene known to be active in growing molars. They implanted the buds in the front of the jaws of mice, where incisors would normally grow. The rodents emerged with molars in front and back.

The teeth are grown in mice kidney capsules because they provide a convenient site for prolonged growth due to the bountiful blood supply to the developing tooth. Dr. Sharpe’s aim was never to grow teeth in kidneys. This is just his experimental test system. In the future its likely that the teeth will be grown in some sort of artificial bio-reactor which itself is still in development.

The technology to grow replacement teeth could mean the end of dentures. Living teeth would be much better than dentures because they can respond to a persons bite. They move and in doing so they maintain the health of the surrounding gums and teeth. Dr. Sharpe has patented the technique and hopes to begin human trials in a few years once they perfect their techniques.

Predicting a release date to market is difficult as its still in development but according to their website they are expecting it to be available in "several years".

Source: Odontis.com

Posts in discussion

Posted: 11 months 3 weeks ago by Juan #952

It looks like the whole tooth regeneration is a too much long-term goal but what about partial tooth regeneration? I have a first molar that is treated with root canal therapy and have a porcelaine crown on it cause it lacks a lot of dentin due to decay. Now I wonder if at least pulp-dentin regeneration is a more reasonable short-term goal in dentistry. At least a a live tooth with an artificial crown , yet not a new tooth from scratch is pretty functional. In San Antonio some specialists have already revitalised a tooth of a 12 y.o. boy and now they say they will try the same treament in adults. I would like to participate in the trials, too bad I live in Spain.

Posted: 11 months 3 weeks ago by Brenda Kay Brodrick #948

How can I be apart of this research I am willing to let you use my mouth toprove it works I only have 7 teeth in my mouth and have been told that faose teeth would not fit my mouth as my gums are to small to hold a false plate I am 58 years and have always smiled all the time but I no longer smile as I dont have the teeth to smile with please allow me to help you as well as help myself.

Brenda Brodrick
375 Leon Luke Road
Cookeville, Tn. 38506
931-881-7729

Anxiously awaiting to hear from you

Posted: 1 year 6 months ago by angry #770

No news?

Posted: 2 years 4 weeks ago by blindwilly #673

look this:

pkukmweb.ukm.my/FPerg/wp-content/uploads...11brochure-final.pdf

and this:

worldental.org/dental-news/blood-vessels...ls-study-shows/4315/

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Josh #669

Looks like they're mainly working with Recaldent which remineralises teeth on application.

Dental decay, or caries, start when bacteria in plaque produces an organic acid which dissolves the tooth enamel, breaking down the calcium and phosphate in tooth enamel.
Recaldent™ works by delivering calcium and phosphate ions into the tooth, repairing and strengthening areas of enamel previously damaged by the action of bacteria.

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by djossla #668

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=9&...3RuPtouvxrzZsvovRwaA

Do anyone know what is this about

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Greg #667

So. When will scientist regrow teeth? How long need waiting jet?

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Chad #665

I hope this growing new teeth happens soon. When I was 12 I caught a pop fly baseball that I lost in the sun and it knocked all my teeth loose. After that my teeth started to loose there enamel and I have lost teeth to decay and breaks, have tons of fillings. At the age of 40 would love a new smile of nice white teeth again.

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by luis raposo #661

Im pretty sure the Bio tooth will be available soon , i look forward for enamel regeneration tecnology , i need to get rid of my veeners-crowns that i did for comestic they bother me soo much

lets get together and make it happen , something huge is coming on the conference in april

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Anonymous #660

something huge is coming inn this conference in april:)

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Mihaela #657

I think we should get togheter and do something.Nothing is impossible in this world.
Everybody who wants to talk to me can find me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Dr. Jack Purswani #655

Instead of a mouse kidney capsule if the stem cells could be grown in a lab it would be much faster & viable. Also could cells from the nerve (pulp chamber) of the extracted tooth be useful in any way to hasten the process

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Josh #642

check the recent forum topics - there's a video causing some stir but we think its a fake -
www.upgradeyourbody.com/forum/dental/588...-getting-closer.html

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by Anonymous #641

is there something new

Posted: 2 years 1 month ago by marc #634

what is new guys about teeth regrowing? when will start clinical trial?

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by djossla #592

I asked both of them, I was intereseted in teeth regenertion, whole tooth, dentin, pulp, enamel, what they did on mice 2007 and they said that tooth regeneration it could be possible in 10-20 years. I Asked PAUL SHARPE are there going to be any trial regarding regeneration of teeth and he answered that thay are not planing any trial. I am interested in this like you I dont have reason to lie. And I would love to hear that I am wrong. Greetings

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by Josh #587

Lets not get confused between Odontis and their original Biotooth with the conference coming up next month (April 11) with the leading tooth stem cell scientists in New York. I notice this thread started from the Odontis article but the comments since drifted toward discussing Dr Mao and his technology which may be misleading readers of the Odontis article. Maybe its time to start a new thread???

Could I suggest commenting in the future on Dr Mao and the New York conference here www.upgradeyourbody.com/articles/dental/...-getting-closer.html

Thanks

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by jj #586

The problem related to odontis can be find in the following site

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm2009...tech/220/220we24.htm

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by jj #583

@ djssla
you did not write what was Dr. Sharpe's answer?
He wrote me that Odontis is no longer active.The company fail to secure grant due to delay of their research. What answer he gave you?

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by angry #582

That's false, they do not answer to email, I personaly send some, weeks ago and no answer...

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by djossla #577

no hoppe tom move on your life.. I am sorry. I asked Paul Sharpe, Takashi Tsuji, they are the leader ine teeth regeneration and if they said nothing, then others can t do also nothing greetings

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by tom #576

you are sure what after 20 years we will can regrow teeth in application? or are we just expectining? why can't faster regrow? minces and pigs regrowing teeth is in practice. why human biotooth is tabu?

Posted: 2 years 2 months ago by djossla #573

ear Sir/Madam

I'm sorry for late reply.
Thank you for your additional question.
At present, this is still in the fundamental research phase,so we have not
trial on a human yet.
we think that it is expected that over 10-20 years are still needed for a
practical application.

yours faithfully.

Takashi Tsuji, PhD
That was answer

Posted: 2 years 3 months ago by jj #557

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Posted: 2 years 3 months ago by tom #555

What are the chances what teeth will be regrow to human? and when it will be? or what made clinical trial? anyone know the something concrete?

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