# Grow new teeth? Would you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562 "2004-05-05T01:03:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/1 "2004-05-05T01:03:07Z")
I know there is quite a bit of hangup about new technologies, especially those dealing with biotechnology, such as GM plants and stem cell research. However, I ran across [this](http://betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2004-05-04-4) article and thought immediately that I would love to have this done. I was planning on getting dental implants when my teeth started falling out or rotting. According to the article it is still probably 2 years away from human testing, but I imagine in 5 years they will have it perfected. Now would you do this? Have a bad tooth pulled and have some stem cells injected to start the growth of a new tooth? Teething as an adult? What are some thoughts on this? Moral, immoral, neutral, revolutionary, or just to be expected? Apparently Odontis has a website: [http://www.odontis.co.uk/](http://www.odontis.co.uk/) If it happens in the UK, and is not FDA or AMA approved, would there be bans on going to England and having it done, only to come back after? ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/2 "2004-05-05T01:10:37Z")
I’d have it done b/c my top 2 teeth are crooked and now have bonding to make them look straight. But the bonding doesn’t whiten so they look weird. I’d get new teeth so my toppers are uniform. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/3 "2004-05-05T02:00:18Z")
Why does it not surprise me that it’s the British researching how to grow new teeth? Sure, I’d have it done if it were reasonably priced and/or covered by whatever insurance I might have upon needing it. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/4 "2004-05-05T02:16:16Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Why does it not surprise me that it’s the British researching how to grow new teeth? > > Sure, I’d have it done if it were reasonably priced and/or covered by whatever insurance I might have upon needing it. LOL, never thought about it that way. _wipes tears from my eyes from laughing so hard_ ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/5 "2004-05-05T02:22:36Z")
I would _love_ to have something like this. I am missing 7 permanent teeth (I was born without them), but luckily I have managed to keep 6 baby teeth. I have an implant for the one, but I am not completely satisfied with the results. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/6 "2004-05-05T03:28:29Z")
I know I would go for it…I had problems with cavities, and have a fair amount of fillings…if I could get the worst of my molars replaced I would be thrilles. I know Mr Aru would love to have the front incisor he cracked in half when he was young replaced, the prosthetic part doesnt match too badly, but I am certain he would prefer a full healthy tooth=) My brother has an implanted eyetooth he would love to have replaced=) I hope they do manage this, I know I am pretty shallow wanting pretty much cosmetic tooth replacement, but I really do have excellent teeth thanks to the american medical care and lifestyle. I am sure that the people you see on TV in 3d world countries with most of their teeth missing would really love this … and deserve to get the teeth replaced … but realistically it will be done in the US and EU and other ‘rich’ countries first. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/7 "2004-05-05T07:50:47Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Why does it not surprise me that it’s the British researching how to grow new teeth? What is it with this British=bad teeth stereotype? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/8 "2004-05-05T07:59:34Z")
I’d go for it, assuming that it’s reasonably safe and reasonably affordable. I’ve got a gazillion caps and fillings now. I’m flat out missing 10 permanent teeth, but 4 of them are wisdom teeth, so I’d probably only replace the nonwisdom teeth. I’d love to get some new teeth. In particular, I’ve got a five tooth bridge, which has 3 tooth stubs and 2 completely missing teeth. I’ve got to get that bridge replaced fairly soon, too. They don’t last forever. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/9 "2004-05-05T10:06:37Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Why does it not surprise me that it’s the British researching how to grow new teeth? > > Sure, I’d have it done if it were reasonably priced and/or covered by whatever insurance I might have upon needing it. Whoever invented this silly stereotype has never seen the stereotype of toothless hill billy. I’m sure there are many mountain people with lovely teeth but I bet you there are more British people with lovely teeth. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/10 "2004-05-05T12:37:39Z")
The people of Great Britain are said to consume the most sugar per capita. Their sweettooth is legendary. I believe the Scots in particular have the highest consumption rate. Too much sugar=tooth decay and loss. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grow-new-teeth-would-you/243562/11 "2004-05-05T13:39:18Z")
Now this is science I can get behind! I was always dreading getting my adult teeth as a kid, I always liked the idea of a spare set of teeth as insurance against not brushing my teeth enough or just plain old tooth losing accidents. If this goes through I’ll get that insurance back!