Fully functional bioengineered tooth replacement as an organ replacement therapy

"The researchers at the Tokyo University of Science created a set of cells that contained genetic instructions to build a tooth, and then implanted this 'tooth germ' into the mouse's empty tooth socket. The tooth grew out of the socket and through the gums, as a natural tooth would. Once the engineered tooth matured, after 11 weeks, it had a similar shape, hardness and response to pain or stress as a natural tooth, and worked equally well for chewing. The researchers suggested that using similar techniques in humans could restore function to patients with organ failure."

Article here:
http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/08/an_organ_replaced_fully_functional_bioengineered_tooth_debuts.html

Abstract here:
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/07/31/0902944106.abstract