Gene Therapy Rebuilds Bone, Tissue in Dental Patients

Newswise — Gene therapy is most often associated with complex medical conditions, yet experts predict that within the next dozen years, it may make its way into the dental office.

Speaking here at the American Dental Association's 144th Annual Session, William Giannobile, D.D.S., D.Med.Sc., associate professor of dentistry and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Michigan, discussed the findings of one of his most recent gene therapy studies to help restore damage caused by severe gum disease, a chronic bacterial infection that destroys the gums and bone supporting the teeth. As the disease progresses, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed. The clinical practice of gene therapy involves the transfer of a foreign gene in order to correct inherited genetic disorders or treat life-threatening conditions.

Dr. Giannobile and his team inserted a gene called bone morphogenetic protein that encodes a bone-stimulating factor into an inactivated virus. The virus then transferred the genes into grown skin cells. In animal studies, these genetically engineered cells were transplanted into large bone defects surrounding the teeth, which regenerated tooth-supporting structures, such as the jawbone, ligaments and the protective coating on tooth roots called cementum.

Human studies are needed to confirm whether gene therapy is feasible in humans, Dr. Giannobile cautions. Clinical human gene transfer studies for head and neck cancer treatment are already underway. Experts in the dental application of gene therapy say patients with these conditions will be among the first to undergo gene therapy to repair damaged salivary glands due to cancer radiation treatment or because of the autoimmune disease, Sjogren's syndrome.

In time, experts predict common dental conditions such as oral ulcers, delayed tooth eruption, gum disease, bone loss and jaw disorders, such as TMJ, will also be treated with gene therapy. There may even come a day when gene therapy will prevent the build up of plaque, that sticky film of bacteria that coats teeth and contributes to tooth decay.

Since many diseases involve multiple genes or interactions between genes and the environment (as is the case with gum disease and the disease that causes tooth decay), advances in gene therapy may take some time. Nevertheless, experts are optimistic that by 2015, dentists will be able to use gene therapy as one of their patient treatment options.

Please note: The presentation described in this news release does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the American Dental Association.

Other topics at the ADA's Annual Session include:· Dental Spas· Dying To Be Thin: Eating Disorders And Dental Care· Lasers in Dentistry· Diabetes And Dental Treatment· Saving Lives: Early Oral Cancer Detection And Tobacco Use Cessation