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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Establishing Organoids from Human Tooth as a Powerful Tool Toward Mechanistic Research and Regenerative Therapy
Published on: April 13, 2022
Tooth-forming potential in embryonic and postnatal tooth bud cells
Masaki J Honda1, Hanson Fong, Shinji Iwatsuki
1Department of Anatomy, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan. honda-ms@dent.nihon-u.ac.jp
Medical Molecular Morphology
|December 25, 2008
Summary
Scientists are exploring stem cell technology to regenerate lost adult teeth, a process not naturally possible. Research shows embryonic tooth buds offer greater control over tooth shape compared to postnatal ones for regenerative dentistry.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dental Research
Background:
- Humans naturally replace teeth only once in childhood.
- Lost or damaged adult teeth cannot regenerate naturally.
- Stem cell biology and tissue engineering offer new possibilities for tooth regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in biological tooth production using tissue engineering and stem cells.
- To compare tooth regeneration potential using embryonic versus postnatal tooth buds.
- To highlight achievements in biological tooth production, particularly from the authors' laboratory.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing stem cells for tissue engineering to create biological teeth.
- Categorizing approaches based on cell sources: embryonic and postnatal tooth buds.
- Analyzing the potential of different tooth bud sources to regulate tooth crown shape.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in producing entire biological teeth via tissue engineering.
- Embryonic and postnatal tooth buds yield different results in tooth regeneration.
- Embryonic tooth buds demonstrate a higher potential for regulating tooth crown shape than postnatal ones.
Conclusions:
- Regenerating whole teeth using stem cells is a viable and attractive option for restorative dentistry.
- The choice of cell source (embryonic vs. postnatal tooth bud) impacts the success and control of tooth regeneration.
- Further research, particularly utilizing embryonic tooth buds, holds promise for advancing regenerative dental therapies.
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