Back when I was growing up I loved watching the Jetsons.  I thought it would be great to have all of the futuristic things they were able to enjoy.  Interestingly enough we do have the ability to do some of the things they did in the cartoons back them.  Dentistry too has advanced a lot into what was never thought possible.  With the recent advancements in genetic research, namely the Human Genome Project, dentistry is expected to change dramatically in the future.  In fact, these advancements in genetic research include the ability to possibly one day grow teeth, engineer salivary gland tissues, and conduct gene therapy to reduce periodontal disease.

The implications of DNA mapping for dentistry are profound.  The same technology used to map the human genome is being used to map the genomes of the major pathogens of human kind.  Specifically this research could help erase decay and periodontal (gum disease) pathogens, in addition to development of designer drugs to either prevent or treat these problems within the next decade.  Dentistry's future may include the ability to customize patient treatment according to each patient's genetic profile. 

Additionally, scientists are already working on the future by finding a master gene critical for tooth development.  They can actually grow a mouse tooth in a culture dish!  Wouldn’t it be incredible to grow your own new tooth if for some reason you lost one!  The hope is that if science can advance fast enough with the human genetics that they will be able to one day bioengineer human teeth for replacement.

Gene therapy is a new approach to treat, cure and ultimately prevent disease by changing the person's genes.  It introduces a normal-functioning gene into a cell where the gene is defective.  Other advances in gene therapy expected to affect dentistry are tissue engineering of the salivary gland function.  This would be important to patients who have experience irreversible salivary gland damage due to radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

Other exciting areas are research projects currently ongoing that are evaluating statistical and molecular genetic analysis of complex traits such as cleft lip and cleft palate.  Facial clefting disorders are among the most common human birth defects.  Cleft palate occurs in about one in 2,000 live births and can range in severity from a relatively minor split uvula at the rear of the mouth, to a cleft that runs the length of the hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth.  The more severe forms require surgery and are often associated with both psychological and physical problems, including difficulties with feeding, breathing, and speech development.  If successful, great strides could be taken to alleviate these concerns. 

Approximately 20 percent of the population is congenitally missing teeth.  Although it is known that the basic cause is a hereditary factor, it too may be a thing of the past.