Tooth decay in Australia is one of the most common conditions affecting our health, with as many as 11million new cavities forming each year. The costs to our health system are up to $2.6billion per annum.
Cavities or tooth decay occur from the deterioration of tooth enamel, the harder outer surface of the tooth, allowing bacteria to pass through causing further decay. Enamel does not get replaced by the body, meaning that tooth then requires a filling. However, this may not be course of action in years to come. "
Recently researchers have discovered the gene that controls the production of tooth enamel. This could mean that in the future cavity prevention can go further then just oral hygiene and regular check ups at the dentist, to involve the repair of enamel and perhaps the regrowth of replacement teeth. The gene in question is Ctip2, and has previously been found to have roles in immune response, and the development of skin and the nervous system.
"It's not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this we didn't know what regulated the production of tooth enamel," states Chrissa Kioussi, an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. "This is the first transcription factor ever found to control the formation and maturation of ameloblasts, which are the cells that secrete enamel."
The study involved the analysis of mice, those with the Ctip2 and those with the Ctip2 gene “knocked out”. Researchers discovered that the mice without Ctip2 not only didn’t have the capability to survive afterbirth due to the lack of basic biological system, they also possessed teeth without an enamel coating, and without this enamel the teeth are useless.
With further research it is hope that scientists can utilize this discovery to one day with tooth stem cells to grow enamel and revolutionize preventative dentistry.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223221345.htm
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