Tooth loss is no longer a problem that must be accepted; Here are the scientific solutions

12punto / EXCLUSIVE

There are things individuals must pay attention to in order to prevent tooth loss and maintain healthy teeth. There are dozens of items to count, such as regular brushing, taking vitamins regularly, or avoiding the consumption of food and drinks that will erode teeth or cause loss. However, despite these, tooth loss can become inevitable with aging.

Scientists who want to prevent this are conducting studies to ensure that 'fallen teeth' can grow back.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR TEETH TO GROW BACK?

Studies on regenerating or improving teeth through stem cell therapy have been ongoing for over 20 years. In addition to regenerating teeth using stem cell-based tissue engineering, there are developments that sound impossible, such as teeth growing from the root through special treatments.

New research also shows that it is possible for teeth to regrow. More studies and tests are still needed, but this development could change dental care in the coming years.

Hundreds of articles have been published on the subject, but recently, an article published years ago by researchers at Columbia University has come to the fore again. The article titled 'Stem cells in the face, tooth regeneration and beyond', published in 2012 by Darwin Prockop from Texas A&M University and Jeremy J. Mao from Columbia University, refers to the regeneration of teeth with stem cells.

According to what is stated here, a new tooth can be produced from stem cells within 9 weeks.

Thanks to the new technique developed by Mao, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone show the potential to be regenerated. It is even said that this could allow for the growth of natural teeth that can fully integrate into the surrounding tissue.

A statement made by Dr. Mao in 2012 regarding his research includes the following words:

''An important aspect of tooth regeneration is finding a cost-effective approach that can translate into treatments for patients who cannot afford or are not good candidates for dental implants. Our findings represent the first report of the regeneration of anatomically shaped tooth-like structures performed or occurring in a living organism.''

According to the researchers, this study is a first in terms of regenerating and reproducing tooth-like structures.

Scientists in China announced in 2019 that they had made a discovery that would restore damaged or decayed teeth to normal. The new material mimics the structure of tooth enamel. They report that the crystal-like mineral can grow on teeth and that this effect will last permanently.

In the study published in the South China Morning Post, it is stated that scientists have developed the world's first material that can repair tooth enamel in damaged teeth and protect the tooth for a lifetime.

The article published in the journal Science Advances states that the invention was developed by researchers at Zhejiang University. The research showed that the material, which consists of clusters of calcium phosphate ions, can form a thin protective shield layer on teeth. The transparent, crystal-like mineral has a structure similar to fish scales and a high mechanical strength that is "almost identical to the enamel in human teeth."

WHAT ARE STEM CELL DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Stem cell dental implants can allow some parts of teeth to regrow. Scientists have shown that stimulating stem cells in the dental pulp can cause regrowth. This could allow cavities to reverse and develop again without the need for fillings.

Another article published in August of this year allows organoids derived from stem cells to provide proteins to tooth enamel. Organoids are defined as three-dimensional cell groups obtained directly from tissue or stem cells that can self-renew and function as organs. While organoids show structural and functional similarities to the tissue from which they are obtained, they also contain self-renewing stem cell groups. These stem cells can turn into other cell types just like stem cells in the organism.

Scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine focused on repairing damaged teeth and developing lost teeth by regenerating them with stem cell therapy. Here, organoids were created from stem cells that secrete proteins that form tooth enamel, which protects teeth from damage and decay.

Hai Zhang, a professor of dentistry at the Washington University School of Dental Medicine, said, "This is a critical first step toward our long-term goal of developing stem cell-based therapies to repair damaged teeth and regenerate lost ones."

The research article in question was published in the journal Developmental Cell on August 14, 2023.

According to a study published in August of this year, a drug has been developed that can help teeth grow and even emerge. The drug, called USAG-1, developed in research conducted by Kyoto University in Japan, focuses on solving the problems experienced by people who have congenital problems with the structure of their teeth, whose some teeth do not emerge, or whose teeth are shorter than normal.

Even though problems related to dental health mostly come with advancing age, problems such as the complete absence of teeth or teeth remaining short are seen at a rate of 1 percent all over the world.

Dr. Katsu Takahashi, head of the department of dentistry and oral surgery at the research institute, announced that he has been working on this drug for 30 years. In his statement to the newspaper The Mainichi in Japan, he said the following:

''Treatments such as the growth of teeth or the regrowth of teeth that do not emerge are the dream of every dentist. We have no doubt that we can realize this dream with the drug we are working on.''

This developed drug is expected to be a hope for those who have lost their teeth later due to decay or other diseases, as well as those with congenital dental problems. Clinical trials of the drug are aimed to begin in 2024 and it is targeted to be released to the market by 2030.

Prof. Dr. Eda Güler, Deputy Head of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Dentistry, also stated that the most common oral health problem in Turkey is tooth decay:

"According to World Health Organization data, more than one-third of the world's population lives with tooth decay. The easiest way to prevent this problem is to pay attention to oral hygiene. Tooth decay is present in 60 to 90 percent of school-age children and in almost all adults. According to the Turkey Oral and Dental Health Profile Research Report conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2018, tooth decay is seen as the most common oral health problem."