tooth tissues include the pulp mesenchyme that forms the dentin and an epithelium that is responsible for enamel formation . cells from these tissues were obtained from porcine third molars and were seeded onto a biodegradable scaffold composed of a polyglycolic acid — polylactic acid copolymer . cell polymer constructs were then surgically implanted into the omentum of athymic nude rats so that the constructs would have a blood supply and these tissues were allowed to develop inside the rats . infrequently , columnar epithelial cells were observed as a single layer on the outside of the dentin - like matrix similar to the actual arrangement of ameloblasts over dentin during early tooth development . developing tooth tissues derived from such cell polymer constructs could eventually be surgically implanted into the gum of an edentulous recipient where the construct would receive a blood supply and develop to maturity , providing the recipient with a biological tooth replacement .