Using a swine model, dental scientists have been able to regenerate tooth root and supporting periodontal ligaments and restore tooth function using stem cells derived from wisdom teeth.

The technique relies on stem cells harvested from the root apical papilla, which is responsible for the development of a tooth's root and periodontal ligament.

"The apical papilla provides better stem cells for root structure regeneration. With this technique, the strength of the tooth restoration is not quite as strong as the original tooth, but we believe it is sufficient to withstand normal wear and tear."

The scientist hope to conduct clinical trials in the near future and say that this method may be a good alternative for those who cannot undergo dental implant therapy. The study, Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Functional Tooth Regeneration in Swine, has been published in PLoS ONE.