Regrowing body parts (no really!)

[streo]

This is a hot new field of study that is actually showing promise.  The most credible talks on this can be found here:

http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney.html

I wonder how long it will be before orthognathic surgery is replaced with this type of treatment.  For example there is this highly relevant article for our community:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8290138.stm

[trigeminalneuralgia]

That's amazing

[Krista]

Wonder if any of the top surgeons are helping with this research.

[streo]

Wonder if any of the top surgeons are helping with this research.

Maybe in 5-10 years when we understand more about how this is to work.  I'm certain that facial implants will be replaced with patient's own bone grown for the specific effect, whether it be cheekbones, chin, whatever.  I believe by 2025 TMJ replacements using regrown joints will be the norm.  It might sound aggressive, but our medical knowledge is growing at an exponential rate, and so are the tools to accomplish these medical objectives.