Scientists have discovered two separate lineages of stem cells responsible for the formation of tooth roots and the alveolar bone that holds teeth in the jaw, writes Focus.
Using genetically modified mice and tracking genealogical lines, the team was able to trace specific signaling pathways. They involve stem cells in the process of tooth development. This discovery brings us closer to creating the regenerative dentistry of the future, writes SciTechDaily.
One of the main goals of modern dentistry is the ability to restore lost teeth and the surrounding bone structures. For many years, artificial substitutes such as dental implants and dentures have been used in dentistry. However, such solutions often fail to replicate natural sensations, biological integration, and so on.
These shortcomings have prompted researchers to study how natural tooth formation occurs. Researchers aim to develop regenerative therapy methods that could fully restore lost teeth.
The problem is that growing new teeth is a very complex process. It depends on the activity of many tissues, including the enamel organ, dental pulp, and jawbone cells. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of this complex process remain poorly understood.
Using advanced gene tracking methods, scientists were able to clearly visualize the influence of key signaling proteins on cell fate during tooth development. In this way, researchers were able to find a previously unknown population of mesenchymal stem cells that gives rise to two different lineages: one closely associated with root development and the other with the formation of alveolar bone.
The research results showed how teeth and alveolar bone develop.
"Our results create a mechanistic basis for root formation and pave the way for innovative regenerative treatments for dental pulp, periodontal tissues, and bone based on stem cells," the authors of the study stated.
It is worth noting that a drug is being tested on humans that may regrow lost molars. The drug has already proven effective in animal trials, and now scientists plan to begin human trials.
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