by Rachel Kaufman
Published in National Geographic News
2009-08-03

Denture wearers take note: Science is one step closer to growing replacement teeth “from seed.”

Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science created a “tooth germ” from mouse stem cells, implanted the 500-micrometer (0.02-inch) germ inside a mouse’s tooth socket, and waited.

A month later, a new tooth erupted from the gum. The stem cell tooth was as hard and sensitive as a natural tooth, though the new tooth glowed green in ultraviolet light.

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