As published in the Science Daily Feb 24.09 issue, the gene that controls the production of tooth enamel was discovered to be Ctip2 by researchers. This promising discovery prompts new advances in dental practises worldwide with concepts such as repairation of damaged enamel, a new concept in cavity prevention, and restoration or even the production of replacement teeth.
The Ctip2 gene was a 'transcription factor' already known to be the source for multiple other functions including development of the immune response, and the development of skin and the nervous system and the most recent discovery by a collaboration of scientists from the OSU College of Pharmacy being tooth development. the researchers used labratory mice to test the subjects tooth enamel levels of samples with the Ctip2 gene and others where the gene has been 'knocked out'. the results produced are depicted in (image1) showing two teeth of two different mice subjects. One with the gene and one without. On the left,more highlighted red shades can be seen, which indicate productions of tooth enamel. The right picture however shows the tooth lacking the Ctip2 gene also lacks the presense of a majority of tooth enamel required.
understaning the genetic underpinning may allow use of tooth stem cells to produce new tooth enamel which would be highly beneficial to members of the public suffering from tooth decay due to reasons such as smoking, drinking and especially drug use.
