| It is amazing what science can do these days. | | | | gene called BARX-1 has been found to control the |
| You have probably seen people with artificial limbs, | | | | growth of teeth. In the next 10 or 20 years, we |
| known or heard of someone who has had breast | | | | may be able to apply a gel to the gums or a |
| implants or cosmetic surgery or you may have | | | | tooth to stimulate tooth repair and growth. |
| even read about the successful cloning of Dolly, | | | | Imagine having a special solution painted on your |
| the British sheep! | | | | tooth to repair a cavity instead of having a filling. |
| Scientists are also working to find breakthroughs | | | | Imagine the difference between having no tooth |
| that will change the face of dentistry. Discoveries | | | | and a newly grown tooth in a matter of weeks, |
| over the past year could lead to the ability to | | | | thanks to this innovation! It sounds far-fetched, |
| grow teeth! | | | | but growing new teeth is within the realms of |
| Scientists at the University of Texas-Houston | | | | possibility in the next decade. |
| Dental Branch and the Baylor College of Medicine | | | | Scientists at the University of South California, |
| have discovered why three generations in one | | | | Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, have |
| family were born without a full set of first and | | | | been analyzing tooth enamel for 20 years. "Why?" |
| second molars. After reviewing their DNA (the | | | | you may ask. Their goal is to be able to offer |
| blueprints for the body genetic makeup) the | | | | fillings that most closely resemble enamel, rather |
| problem was narrowed down to one particular | | | | than using silver, gold or resin materials. |
| gene (PAX9). When a mutation of this gene | | | | Last summer, the researchers identified tiny |
| occurs, people are born without a full set of teeth. | | | | spheres, which regulate how enamel forms. For |
| As many as 20 percent of the population do not | | | | now, the strength of enamel can not be replicated |
| have a full set of first and second molars because | | | | in a laboratory, but they understand how nature |
| of this problem. Now that researchers know what | | | | makes it. With time, synthetic enamel should be |
| happens when PAX9 mutates, they have an | | | | another option we can offer! |
| opportunity to better understand the genetics of | | | | Researchers say there are many more genes |
| tooth development and possibly replicate the | | | | affecting tooth formation that they have not |
| process of growing new teeth. | | | | even discovered yet. Before long, there will be |
| But PAX9 is not the only tooth-related genetic | | | | unlimited ways to improve your dental health and |
| discovery that scientistsGel to enhance tooth | | | | make the most of your smile. |
| growth have revealed in the past few months. A | | | | |