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Growing teeth is likely to be commonplace if Canadian and U.S. dentists can create and then stimulate a consumers' farmers' market. Get it as low as corn prices and they will have a winner.

Of course, it will take a while to germinate and flower, but I can see the fruits of this labor and a bountiful harvest just over the horizon. Imagine showing up at the dentist and getting furrowed rather than undergoing a harrowing experience.

Okay, that was too easy and misleading.

First, many dentists (even without the implements to farm your teeth) have transformed the anxiety dynamic into something a lot more pleasant than what our parents experienced and most of us did as children.  Rather than harrowing being involved, comfort, painless, and fewer visits are part of the cornucopia of terms that describe the modern dental visit.

Second, we might wait many, many years before we can all benefit from what these Canadian dentists are performing. This "ultrasound device", about the size of a kernel of corn, developed by Canadian scientists (Chen/Tsui) fits inside a crown and creates the pulse that encourages tooth growth. A larger version, which is not placed in the mouth/tooth, has been approved by regulatory agencies in the US and Canada.

Finally, the larger version, and the tiny one, probably won't replace every procedure at least not initially. It might take another generation of science to figure out how to cultivate the "engineering" of the mouth.

When it comes to tooth farming knowledge, I might have just fallen off the turnip truck. But the biggest problem I see is that the body creates many things that are not helpful - even though they grew naturally.

Even natural DNA guided growth creates weak muscles, misshapen jaws, gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, disease prone teeth, and the list goes on. Not to mention the difficulty in correcting all the functional issues related to how all the teeth come together (engineering/occlusion).

Growing teeth "correctly" (right height, width, strength, and direction) to work within the harsh and brutal environment that the jaw dishes out would seem to be very problematical. At least compared to just sprouting a tooth here and there. Serious trimming of these planted versions might be needed (and other fine-tuning). Native Americans grew corn first - but 175+ bushels an acre took another 1,000 years.

Therefore, until these farming dentists get their mutant teeth sprouts to grow while tied to a very tight leash, I am not sure the hoe will completely overtake current restoration methods anytime soon.

One major CAUTION about your first visit to one of these agri-dentists: If his/her boots are smelly, caked with brown "muck" and obviously unsanitary, you probably have stumbled into an equine dentist's "office". Slowly grab your dignity. Gently stroke the nose of a patient if you are inclined. Then walk back out the barn door you accidentally came in…  Don't feel bad. Horse people have a lot of money and often a horse dentist's barn can look pretty darn nice.

Sincerely, RAC
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