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submitted 1 month ago by Quilotoa@lemmy.ca to c/science@lemmy.world

Scientists have taught cell to communicate with each other, allowing them to leave instruction to become a tooth cell. This is seen as a major step in the effort to regrow teeth.

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[-] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This is something I started reading about maybe 20 years ago and hoped would be here by now. Seeing "hopefully for my children's children" is disappointing, but probably more realistic than perpetually saying it's 10 years away. Talking' about you, fusion.

[-] Lemminary@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Talking' about you, fusion.

Yeah but now it's 5 years away for the next 20 years :D

[-] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago

Teeth, kidneys, heart. If we can fully grow these of the patient's dna, that would be mind blowing, and I'd say we're living in the future

[-] IAmLamp@fedia.io 3 points 1 month ago

Each time I read another story about them finding how to regrow teeth, I’m reminded of Star Trek 4 where the little old woman grew a new kidney thanks to McCoy giving her a pill and proclaiming they’re in the dark ages.

[-] wallybeavis@lemmings.world 3 points 1 month ago

Forget sharks with lasers, I want a narwhal tusk on my head!

[-] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 month ago

imagine it catching every time you walk through a door absent mindedly

[-] Jerb322@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

It would be pointing out of your upper lip, though....it needs some kind of root to hold it in place. Better of with some horns, like an ibex or spring buck. Imo.

[-] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I just assumed it would be like the Spore creature creator where you can kind of just drag it around until it's in the spot you want (forehead).

Gotta keep it center though, if you drag it to either side it becomes two horns and that means you're the devil.

Do not question my logic.

[-] IonAddis@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago
[-] AmidFuror@fedia.io 2 points 1 month ago
[-] notabot@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

Teratoma has entered the chat.

I'd advise only reading up on them if you don't mind a bit of body horror, and only doing an image search if you really mean it.

[-] lemmie689@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 month ago
[-] JayDee@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 month ago

Would this not require us to only grow baby teeth?

Maybe if a person's already had all their adult teeth removed, then you reactivate the gene instead of giving them dentures? Though, that means you might need all your teeth pulled if you lose some and want to regrow a new set. Perhaps you could get the gene applied in only a small area? Though, if a doctor fucks up they might start a new tooth regrowing right on a healthy tooth, and that might be bad. Also, what might this do to the regrower's jaw bone, since adult teeth embed into the jaw bone?

this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2025
37 points (97.4% liked)

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