Scientists explain why human teeth were grown in a pig's mouth.

As is well known, humans have only two sets of teeth (baby and permanent), which often leads to issues in adulthood and necessitates visits to the dentist. However, new research suggests that teeth can not only be implanted but also grown.

Scientists have even managed to practically grow human teeth (well, almost) in the mouth of a pig. This study was published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

The problem with modern implants is that they need to be directly connected to the bone, which can cause damage and lead to inflammatory processes. They typically last about 15 years, after which they need to be replaced.

In the new experiment, researchers took tooth buds from pigs and removed all the cells, leaving only the "framework" (extracellular matrix). They then added human pulp cells, pig tooth bud cells, and human vascular cells, which are meant to form the foundation of the tooth, its enamel, and internal vessels.

The resulting construct was placed in a special "incubator" to allow the cells to settle, and later it was transplanted into the lower jaw of mini-pigs. These animals were chosen because their jaws resemble those of humans.

Six two-year-old pigs underwent surgical removal of their third incisors and first premolars. Previous experiments were conducted on younger subjects, but at that time, the growth of their teeth could damage the implanted ones. Since the teeth of adult animals were already formed, this issue was no longer a concern.

In the current experiment, teeth began to form in only 50% of cases, which is a very good indicator for early trials. The structures obtained closely resembled real teeth, with living tissues and were naturally integrated with the bone.

However, there are also challenges. For instance, not all tooth buds initiate formation, the size turned out to be smaller than that of a natural human tooth, and some tissues did not develop as expected. Therefore, there is currently no certainty that they could be used for their intended purpose.

Nonetheless, it is important to remember that this technology is still too "raw" to discuss its effectiveness. However, one key conclusion can already be made — growing a new tooth is indeed possible, and this could change dentistry in the future.

As has been noted in recent years, scientists have made significant advancements in technologies for altering the properties of living cells. For example, they recently taught hamster cells to feed on sunlight.