Tooth fairies nationwide are likely to hold a major conference on their future prospects now that it's to become possible to grow new teeth.

Could this mean additional work for them as more and more "self grow" teeth drop out? Or could the bottom drop out of their money exchange market as teeth stay put longer?

Their fate all hinges on the successful development of regenerative dentistry being investigated by the Dental Institute at King's College, London. Scientists are confident that soon all of us will be able to replace lost teeth by growing new ones. Apparently it will be possible for a small ball of cells, known as a bud, to be implanted where the missing one use to be and this will grow into a new, healthy nasher.

According to dental statistics, by the time the average Briton reaches 50 he or she has lost 12 teeth from a complete set of 32. No one wants dentures these days self-generation is a practical alternative. A bud can be grown into a molar or an incisor within a few months.

How it knows when to stop growing is, possibly, another matter?

So Bucks dentists, like dentists everywhere, will also be pondering their future. Because if the new technology of grow-your-own teeth catches on they could become merely tooth farmers.

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Andrew Leech, Cross Reference Tel: 01753 884216