Kioussi and her colleagues studied baby mice in which the Ctip2 gene had been "knocked out" and its protein was missing. The mice had rudimentary teeth ready to erupt, but the teeth lacked the proper enamel coating and would never have been functional.

The findings appear in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Using this new information about Ctip2, it might be possible to use tooth stem cells to stimulate the growth of new teeth, Kioussi said. She noted that some researchers have successfully grown the inner portions of teeth in laboratory animal experiments, but the teeth had no hard coatings because the scientists didn't know which gene controlled enamel growth.

"A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work," Kioussi said. "It could be really cool -- a whole new approach to dental health."

Dental Clinic Manager Note: Many people, like me have problems with eroded tooth enamel, and this gene for tooth enamel can help prevent more extensive problems which can occur in the long run.  Unfortunately, I had to have more extensive work done (i.e., root canals, crowns, and am currently undergoing an implant procedure.  But for many younger individuals or individuals who can benefit from this gene once it is put into practice, it will save thousands of dollars in dental fees, as cavities initially begin as a small hole in tooth enamel in which decay begins to grow.