Dr. Alan Frame
Santa Clara, CA (PRWEB) December 03, 2015
Santa Clara dentist, Dr. Alan Frame, weighs in on the exciting new possibility of tooth regrowth in humans. Restorations such as dental implants, bridges and dentures may one day be a thing of the past. According to scientists, cichlid fish in Malawi may hold the key to regrowing teeth in humans. This may sound like science fiction, but the fish enjoy this talent naturally. The secret is in their flexible cells, which can become either teeth or taste buds. Almost as soon as the tooth is lost, a new one erupts.
About Dr. Alan Frame, Dental Implants Dentist Santa Clara
A graduate of Santa Clara University, Dr. Frame completed his dental education at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. He graduated with the highest honors before completing a general practice residency at UCLA. Today, he is a member of the American Dental Association and offers extensive treatment options at his family dental practice, including general dentistry, preventive dentistry, fillings, root canals, ceramic veneers, dental crowns, teeth whitening and tooth replacements such as bridges and implants.
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology looked not only at cichlids but also mice and found that there may be a similar plasticity between teeth and taste buds in humans as well. A previous study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013 revealed that urine contains stem cells that could be used to create teeth in humans. These two discoveries may lead to the development of bioengineered teeth that are ready to be transplanted into those who have lost teeth.
More than half of Americans have lost teeth by the time they reach 35, and that number increases with time. About 60 percent of those in their 60s have lost all their teeth. Tooth loss can lead to a cascade of dental health problems, including:
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth decay
- Bone loss
- Gum tissue loss
- Shifting or tilting teeth
- Misalignments and bite problems
- Nutritional deficiencies
Tooth loss can also lead to obesity, dementia and other potentially serious health issues. Dr. Frame, Santa Clara dentist, encourages patients to keep their teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible to avoid tooth loss. However, there are more options today than ever before when it comes to replacing lost teeth. Additionally, this research offers promise for an even more natural alternative.
Sources:
The Daily Mail, October 19, 2015 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3279872/Say-goodbye-dentures-Humans-one-day-regrow-teeth-copying-behaviour-tropical-fish.html