Edmonton professor gets the green light for study on tooth re-growth
A dental professor from Edmonton has secured a one million dollar grant to conduct a research project on tooth re-growth.
Dr Tarek El-Bialy, from the University of Alberta, has been given the grant for three years by the Qatar National Research Foundation; he will use the money to fund his study on tooth re-growth. Four years ago, Dr El-Bialy hit the headlines when his study into the regenerative properties of ultrasound was revealed to the public. Over the course of the last four years, Dr El-Bialy has continued to work on the project and is working towards the goal of stopping tooth root degeneration using ultrasound alone.
Dr El-Bialy is also researching the possibility of using stem cell technology to regenerate the teeth; once the ultrasound has been used to stop the degeneration, stem cell technology will be used to encourage the tooth to regenerate. The new study will also focus on the patient’s own tissue and its ability to stimulate regeneration in a decayed tooth.
The study could be extremely beneficial for people who have braces as well as those who suffer from bone loss. Orthodontic braces often cause the roots of the teeth to degenerate and Dr El-Bialy’s pioneering treatment could help to stop this before it becomes a significant problem.
Dr El-Bialy will be based at the Queen Dental Centre in Doha, Qatar during the three year study period.
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