Could the answers for a wide variety of dental conditions be found in the sea?

Some scientists are now exploring that possibility as new Prickly Pufferfish research holds some promise.

The fish, which has teeth that continually replace themselves (in a unique manner), could provide scientists a different view of the genes that lead to tooth replacement.

Led by Dr. Gareth Fraser of the University of Sheffield, the team discovered that the Pufferfish’s replacement teeth formed into a sort of beak.

Nature’s methods may provide a sort of roadmap, the team felt, for a human tooth replacement system.

They could also answer questions about how the genetic behavior is maintained throughout a lifetime; provide a better understanding about why human beings lose the ability to replace teeth after the second set.

Could it be possible, in the future, to provide human beings the ability to grow new teeth?

For now, researchers can only hope. This study tracked the stages of growth throughout the lifetime of Pufferfish.

Initially, the Pufferfish has normally aligned fish teeth, but as the first set falls loose, a new set of teeth forms, building the structure of the beak.

The beak is created of several bands, with each representing a series of replacement teeth. A single pufferfish can have up to seven bands at one time and even the bands replace themselves as damage is done to existing teeth.

For more information on the study and the hope that it provides for the dental community, continue reading the full article.