Alligators aren’t what you would typically associate with a beautiful, healthy smile, but these scaly creatures may be behind the development of a new method for replacing teeth. Researchers are studying the regenerative abilities of alligators, who can regrow a tooth up to 50 times after it’s lost. Of course, this is speculation and we’re far from actually being capable of regrowing human teeth without years of research. In the meantime, there are still plenty of options for individuals who are looking to replace their lost teeth. Here at Lake Country Dental, we recommend using dental implants to restore your smile. Dental implants are a long-lasting solution with the durability and stability of natural teeth. In the future, this may not even be an issue if scientists are able to recreate the regenerative powers of alligators. Dr. Snider explains how alligators are able to regrow teeth and what that can mean for tooth loss in the future.
Regenerative Powers of Alligators
It’s estimated that most alligators will go through about 3,000 teeth during their lifetime. The remarkable capabilities of alligators have been studied at National Taiwan University. Researchers used x-rays, tissue samples, computer models, and lab-grown gator cells to observe to the structure of alligator teeth. Looking at snapshots of alligators teeth as they went through the cycle of tooth loss and regrowth, researchers were able to see cells in the tissues that were multiplying. Researchers knew that there are small replacement teeth buried beneath alligator’s mature teeth, so they were able to see the process and angles of the placement tooth as it comes in.
This study along with others have confirmed that the restorative powers of alligators are due to a thin layer of dormant stem cells. When looking at the formation of teeth, researchers noticed that a dentine bone-like material formed a bulge, which is believed to have these stem cells. The layer of tissue that cells sit in is known as the dental lamina. Proteins are released, which activate the stem cells when the alligator loses its tooth. The dental lamina tissue is also present in humans, but it then goes dormant after making the adult teeth. Researchers hope to find out what triggers the stem cells and how to reactivate the lamina in humans to regrow teeth. The study was able to successfully regrow teeth in mice and monkeys. Researchers hope clinical trials with people will reveal a lot of information on tooth regrowth in humans.
On the Opposite Side of the Spectrum
Understanding how to regrow teeth can also help those who grow supernumerary teeth. Researchers can find out how to stop the molecules that cause uncontrolled tooth formation. This condition, known as hyperdontia, causes individuals to grow extra teeth anywhere in their mouth. Although researchers believe that genetics and environmental factors contribute to this condition, they can’t specifically name the cause. Typical sufferers of hyperdontia include children with Down syndrome, cleft lip, and Gardner’s syndrome.
Having extra teeth can cause quite a few problems. Many times extra teeth can cause your regular teeth to shift around. Removing extra teeth early on is the best way to avoid developing a crooked smile. These extra teeth may also hinder permanent teeth from coming in and it’s best to extract extra teeth so the teeth can erupt. In most instances, there will only be a single extra tooth, but there have been cases with as many as 30 supernumerary teeth. It’s estimated that between 1% and 4% of the population is affected by hyperdontia. Studies also show that men are more likely to have extra teeth than women.
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Research and technology have come a long way in the field of dentistry. Researchers today are hopeful that studying alligator teeth will hold the key to solving problems like tooth loss and hyperdontia. While regrowing your teeth won’t be a possibility anytime soon, there are still plenty of great, natural-looking dental restorations to give you your smile back. We offer high-quality dental implants that have the potential to last the rest of your life.The dental implant process is a simple way to feel confident with your smile again. To find out more information, contact our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.