The reason this research was being done was because scientists were wondering if they would be able to engineer a human tooth. So far it hasn't been possible. They are having a problem trying to make it. The challenge/problem is that they must identify a capable source of postnatal stem cells. The stem cells have to be odontogenic competent as the epithelial competent. This is due to the lack of enamel epithelial cells in adult teeth. Scientists think that if they figure out how to do this, then they can do it to major organs as well. There have been many attempts to identify alternative sources of human postnatal stem cells as the epithelial component. They demonstrated that keratinocytes are able to differentiate into ameloblasts when recombined with a certain substance. It shows odontogenic potential. Another problem is that the age, genetic variation, health condition, and gender may change or influence different outcomes. The odontogenic potential must have a combination of growth factors in every layer of every stage in the tooth development. Still, there has been some progress in molecular studies of tooth development, which has been documented in mice. In conclusionn, many challenges/problems are going to come up, but because of new technology being produced, bioengineered teeth will soon me made. |
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