Can Teeth Regenerate?

Update Date: 2024-05-28 Source: Network

Teeth Regeneration and Restoration Methods

Teeth are mainly divided into deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. Deciduous teeth grow out when we are young, and permanent teeth grow out after the deciduous teeth fall out during childhood. Permanent teeth are those that exist permanently, indicating that teeth cannot regenerate. If teeth fall out due to accidents, adult teeth cannot regenerate, but treatment can be provided through dental restoration. Let's briefly understand this.

1. Can Teeth Regenerate?

Teeth cannot regenerate. Humans have two sets of teeth, namely deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. Deciduous teeth can be replaced by permanent teeth after falling out, but once permanent teeth fall out, there will be no successor teeth. Therefore, it is essential to protect each tooth to prevent dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss or absence. Unlike other organs in the body that have regenerative functions, such as skin healing through scarring after injury, teeth cannot heal if damaged or decayed.

Currently, dentistry is relatively advanced, and treatment can be provided for decayed teeth, such as filling cavities. However, restored teeth are still not as good as healthy teeth, so it is crucial to protect each tooth.

2. Three Restoration Methods for Missing Teeth

There are three restoration methods for missing teeth:

Removable Partial Dentures: These can be removed and worn by the patient but may cause a sense of foreign body in the mouth. Currently, most elderly patients choose removable partial dentures.
Dental Implants: This restoration method requires minimal grinding of adjacent teeth or no grinding at all. Its advantages include minimal damage to surrounding tooth tissues, good chewing ability, and good biocompatibility with periodontal and tooth tissues. However, the disadvantage is the high cost, which may not be affordable for everyone.
Porcelain Veneer Restoration: When teeth are missing or there are defects in the dental arch, and the surrounding tooth and soft tissue conditions are good, porcelain veneer restoration can be considered. However, the disadvantage of porcelain veneer restoration is that it requires grinding of adjacent teeth, which may damage the surrounding normal tooth tissues.