In case of a tooth loss, there are several techniques available for artificially replacing the tooth. However, most of these tooth replacement techniques require a severe surgical intervention. Moreover, most of these artificial implants do not fulfill all the physiological requirements a normal tooth should have. Thus there is a need for easily available, physiologically and long lasting transplants.
Technical Description
With the method developed by scientists of the TU Berlin a method for the ex vivo development of a functional, three dimensional tooth germ is provided as well as an application system for the correct upright positioning of the germ transplant during surgery. The germ is cultivated from human adult stem cells without using any substrate or growth factors. Cultivation is carried out in culture dishes with a flat bottom and without attaching the cells to the walls of the dish. According to the method stem cells are co-cultured with endothelial cells. Here the ratio between both cell types is important for an optimal formation and an optimal growth of the tooth germ. The tooth germ should be able to induce tooth growth in vitro and in vivo.
Currently, the method is still in research phase and not yet available for clinical application.
Possible Applications
This three-dimensional in vitro organoid can be used as an in vivo transplant or as an in vitro test system.
Tooth stem cells (green) and endothelial cells (red) form a tooth germ (Source: TU Berlin)
Benefits
Use of human adult stem cells (SC)
Adult SCs can be obtained easily and in sufficient amounts
Less effort when growing SCs in mono culture
[...] further benefits online
Technology Readiness Level
Experimental proof of concept (TRL: 3)
