New Delhi, Oct 2
Japanese researchers have identified two distinct stem cell lineages that drive tooth root and alveolar bone formation, offering key insights for future regenerative dental therapies.
The team from the Institute of Science Tokyo, used genetically modified mice and lineage-tracing techniques to shed light on the cell signaling mechanisms guiding differentiation in stem cells in the developing teeth.
"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 the Institute's Department of Periodontology.
The ability to regenerate lost teeth and their surrounding bones is considered a holy grail in the field of dentistry.