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[Dalek]

End of fillings in sight as scientists find Alzheimer's drug makes teeth grow back

Fillings could be consigned to history after scientists discovered that a drug already trialled in Alzheimer's patients can encourage tooth regrowth and repair cavities.

Researchers at King's College London found that the drug Tideglusib stimulates the stem cells contained in the pulp of teeth so that they generate new dentine – the mineralised material under the enamel.

Teeth already have the capability of regenerating dentine if the pulp inside the tooth becomes exposed through a trauma or infection, but can only naturally make a very thin layer, and not enough to fill the deep cavities caused by tooth decay.

An image showing repair after four weeks (left) and six weeks (right) CREDIT: KING'S COLLEGE

But Tideglusib switches off an enzyme called GSK-3 which prevents dentine from carrying on forming.

Scientists showed it is possible to soak a small biodegradable sponge with the drug and insert it into a cavity, where it triggers the growth of dentine and repairs the damage within six weeks.

The tiny sponges are made out of collagen so they melt away over time, leaving only the repaired tooth.

Professor Paul Sharpe, lead author of the study, of the Dental Institute, from King’s College London, said: “The simplicity of our approach makes it ideal as a clinical dental product for the natural treatment of large cavities, by providing both pulp protection and restoring dentine.

“In addition, using a drug that has already been tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease provides a real opportunity to get this dental treatment quickly into clinics.”

 

[Übermatik]

So forgive me if I'm wrong, but you're not actually growing back the tooth (enamel), just the 'coating' of your teeth, Dentine?

 

[RetroDLC]

I hope to be alive long enough to see entire sets of teeth and jaws be 3D printed.

 

[ZOONAMI]

Dentists out of a job.

/s they would be the ones prescribing the stuff?

And you still gotta keep your teeth clean.

 

[Biggest-Geek-Ever]

That explains why Caesar in planet of the apes has a perfect smile.

 

[Betty]

Yes please

 

[Count Dookkake]

Dentists out of a job.

Shit happens.

 

[MrChocolate]

And this is why science is great. Now hurry the fuck out on something that helps bald people. And no, finasteride is not an acceptable answer. Neither is minoxidil.

 

[Ziffles]

So forgive me if I'm wrong, but you're not actually growing back the tooth (enamel), just the 'coating' of your teeth, Dentine?

Enamel is the coating, dentine is the bulk hard part of the tooth. So if this does actually work, then it really is growing back the tooth.

 

[Netherscourge]

So saying "makes teeth grow back" is false.

If you somehow lost a tooth, this won't make it grow back. This acts as a sort of natural filling to existing teeth.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

 

[kavanf1]

I love stuff like this, there are so many cases of accidental inventions that end up being amazing. Like viagra, or the guy who accidentally invented the glue used on post it notes.

 

[Reverend Funk]

sick I better stop brushing my teeth

 

[jiggle]

Nice
One less reason to quit soda

Diabetes next plz

And this is why science is great. Now hurry the fuck out on something that helps bald people. And no, finasteride is not an acceptable answer. Neither is minoxidil.

Or this

 

[disappeared]

Dentists on suicide watch.

 

[studyguy]

Probably doesn't do much for fillings already there.
Born too early.

 

[CreepingFear]

Great. I'll start pulling all my teeth out now. Thanks OP.

 

[TAJ]

A course of this drug will probably cost more than hiring a personal dentist for a year.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

So forgive me if I'm wrong, but you're not actually growing back the tooth (enamel), just the 'coating' of your teeth, Dentine?

You've got that the wrong way round.

Great. I'll start pulling all my teeth out now. Thanks OP.

Um... I'm pretty sure you've got to have at least something there before it can grow back.

 

[Timedog]

That explains why Caesar in planet of the apes has a perfect smile.

Is that ape hot in that movie like that sexy gorilla from a few years back?

 

[Shaanyboi]

fuck, beat me to it lol

 

[cress2000]

Dentists vow to fight tooth and nail to keep their old ways relevant...

 

[Dalibor68]

Thread in two years: Teeth-renewing drug Tideglusib found to cause cancer, study says

 

[Air]

Awesome. I have a couple fillings I'd like regrown

 

[HStallion]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

 

[Übermatik]

Enamel is the coating, dentine is the bulk hard part of the tooth. So if this does actually work, then it really is growing back the tooth.

You've got that the wrong way round.

AH I see, thanks!

 

[WhateverItTakes]

After your great book of British smiles shit we're keeping this America. What now you pearly white bastards, what now!?

 

[CreepingFear]

You've got that the wrong way round.



Um... I'm pretty sure you've got to have at least something there before it can grow back.

Too late.

 

[Shmuppers]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

I was hoping this would become an SCP thread

 

[studyguy]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

That's a bit unsettling

 

[cpp_is_king]

Who comes up with these fucking names? Tideglusib? Jesus christ.

 

[nicoga3000]

This would be amazing. Go science!

 

[qcf x2]

Dang, after I went through so much pain a few months ago. Now where's the drug to grow my hair back?

 

[SwiftDeath]

Can we regrow cartilage yet?

My family has a history of arthritis and worn down cartilage so that's something I worry about.

 

[kavanf1]

Who comes up with these fucking names? Tideglusib? Jesus christ.

It's an anagram of "lube digits". Or budgie slit.

 

[zeemumu]

 

[Miles Quaritch]

LOL, a friend became a dentist because he thought he'd have a job for life...

He probably will, but it's crazy how science can turn shit completely on its head by accident.

 

[Caleb187]

It sounds like Dentists still need to drill away the cavity. It's just that instead of amalgam, composite, etc fillings they can now just put in a sponge that will stimulate regrowth of actual tooth material.

 

[Melon Husk]

LOL, a friend became a dentist because he thought he'd have a job for life...

He probably will, but it's crazy how science can turn shit completely on its head by accident.

Dentists are like car mechanics, if you think about it.

 

[hobozero]

I think I've heard this story before:

 

[show me your skeleton]

who the fuck came up with that scp tooth nightmare jesus christ

 

[StarVigil]

And this is why science is great. Now hurry the fuck out on something that helps bald people. And no, finasteride is not an acceptable answer. Neither is minoxidil.

Don't worry. Bald rich guys probably invest more money in that field than there is money in cancer-research, Obamacare and NASA combined.

 

[Septimus Prime]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

And yet he still has a filling.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

All those years of not brushing finally paying off

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

from the telegraph comes a story so wild, it must be science, right?!?

I'm going to call bull on this, but I can't be bothered to actually investigate.

 

[DoubleYou]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

 

[riotous]

If vagina dentata occurs, consult with your doctor immediately.

 

[Ray Wonder]

Shit happens.

I love this response, I feel the same way

 

[Mivey]

All those years of not brushing finally paying off

I mean, they would still need to actually remove caries somehow. This does not just give you super human teeth, it just replaces the final filling process, ideally.

 

[Rygar 8 Bit]

We all know how this is going to end:

SCP 478

SCP 1994

SCP 2450

you beat me to it