{"version": "1.0", "type": "rich", "title": "End of fillings in sight as scientists find Alzheimer's drug makes teeth grow back", "author_name": "kontextmaschine", "author_url": "https://kontextmaschine.com", "provider_name": "kontextmaschine", "provider_url": "https://kontextmaschine.com", "url": "https://kontextmaschine.com/post/169057541383/", "html": "End of fillings in sight as scientists find Alzheimer's drug makes teeth grow back\n

lierdumoa:

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hypnictwitch:

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luvkirby4ever:

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sindri42:

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venerabledreadnought:

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thinksquad:

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Researchers at King\u2019s College London found that the drug Tideglusib stimulates the stem cells contained in the pulp of teeth so that they generate new dentine \u2013 the mineralised material under the enamel.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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That is by far the coolest thing I\u2019ve heard this year.

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\u2018Okay so guys we\u2019re still working on that whole alzheimer\u2019s thing, but along the way we kind of accidentally regrew everybody\u2019s teeth.\u2019

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FR though a lot of modern medicine creations are things we accidentally discovered, like Viagra was originally for something else (can\u2019t remember what) but the side effects were prominent enough that it became the sexy drug.

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Yes yes yes

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The people who created the pill were originally trying to make a drug that *increased* fertility.

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