Stem cell studies pave the way for regenerating lost teeth
Findings provide a mechanistic framework for tooth root formation.
Two stem cell lineages that drive tooth root and alveolar bone formation have been identified by researchers.
Using genetically modified mice and lineage-tracing techniques, the team has revealed more about the cell signalling mechanisms guiding differentiation in stem cells in developing teeth, offering insights into future regenerative dental therapies.
The ability to regenerate lost teeth and their surrounding bones is considered a holy grail in the field of dentistry. Currently, the gold standard for replacing a lost tooth is to use a foreign object – such as an implant or a denture.
While both are considered effective, they cannot perfectly replicate a natural tooth’s structure, function or feel. This has prompted many researchers to conduct studies on tooth development in a bid to open new avenues for regenerative therapies.
“Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for tooth root formation and pave the way for innovative stem cell-based regenerative therapies for dental pulp, periodontal tissues and bone,” said Mizuki Nagata, Assistant Professor at Science Tokyo.
More information
The researchers‘ papers Wnt-directed CXCL12-expressing apical papilla progenitor cells drive tooth root formation and A Hedgehog–Foxf axis coordinates dental follicle-derived alveolar bone formation were published in Nature Communications.