# Evolving Strategies and Materials for Scaffold Development in Regenerative Dentistry
## 4 Discussion
### Whole Tooth Regeneration  
Whole tooth regeneration is getting much more attention now than ever before. By inventing a bioengineered tooth, which can replace all required parts of the damaged area, including periodontal ligaments, bone, cement, and the tooth itself, we could get to the point where conventional methods of tooth replacement would change. In so doing, we could overcome all disadvantages and limitations of classic implants while improving overall dental health [153; 154; 35].  
[PERSON] described bioengineered roots fabrication, which he later fitted with a custom-3D-printed dental crown, while being more affordable and achievable than conventional treatment methods [37]. Understanding signal pathways of dental tissue genesis, development of the scaffolds and relevant drug release systems, as well as utilization of adult stem cells, iPSCs and tooth germ cells can help reveal directions that should be pursued within the domain of teeth bio-manufacturing research [41].  
Successful biological tooth regeneration could be one of the first steps in organ regeneration. Whole tooth engineering or regeneration remains very complicated, and highlights several problems, such as programming the stem cells to differentiate into tooth-specific cell types.  
When it comes to whole tooth regeneration, one needs to be critical about contemporary papers in other research areas as well. Seemingly, the whole concept of scaffolds used as backbones in fabricating biocompatible tissues, potentially filled with living cells that integrate within organisms, is quite complex and faces many challenges. Despite many advances and much success in many of the research directions, there is a different way of thinking when it comes to whole tooth regeneration needs. [PERSON], as the leader of research from Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, has been focusing on tooth regrowth development research since 2005 at Kyoto University. [PERSON] and his research team identified the USAG-1 gene, which led to the development of a neutralizing antibody medicine capable of blocking the protein's function. Successful animal experiments, where mice were treated with the medicine grew additional teeth, underscore the potential of this innovative approach [155].  
The study by [PERSON] et al. states that many genes responsible for congenital tooth agenesis have been identified, and many are common in humans and mice. As an example, the RUNX-2 causative gene for congenital tooth agenesis is mentioned in the study. Suppression of the function of this gene leads to arrested development of the tooth. In mice models, tooth arrested development was rescued via double-knockout of RUNX-2 and USAG-1 [156]. This suggest that targeted molecular therapy could generate teeth by stimulating arrested tooth germs in patients with congenital tooth agenesis [157]. [PERSON]'s research also holds promise by enabling the growth of new teeth among children suffering from anodontia from a very young age [158; 159].  
The revolutionary step comes with the latent ability of human beings to grow the third set of teeth, which was determined on certain animals [159; 160]. As the team prepares for clinical trials in 2024, global anticipation and attention surrounding this tooth regrowth medicine continue to grow. With the aim of making it available for general use by 2030, [PERSON] and his team stand at the threshold of a new era in dentistry where tooth regeneration becomes a reality, reshaping our approach to oral health and dental care.  
Clinical approaches and other studies need to be done to fully understand the concept of whole tooth regeneration [37; 161]. Finally, financial investments need to be made to advance hereinabove mentioned techniques to the mainstream within regenerative dentistry.