TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE TAKAHASHI TSUJI'S LABORATORY

Masticatory potential of the bioengineered tooth

The masticatory potential is essential for achieving proper tooth function. We further characterized a bioengineered tooth using a MicroCT. The regenerated tooth achieved normal occlusion in harmony with other teeth in the recipient animal and had opposing cuspal contacts that maintained the proper occlusal vertical dimensions between the opposing arches. We next performed a Knoop hardness test, which is a test for mechanical hardness. The hardness of these mineralized tissues of the bioengineered tooth, not only enamel but also dentin, were equivalent with those of normal tooth. The microhardness test suggested that the bioengineered tooth have sufficient masticatory performance as well as the normal, mature tooth.