This could mean a biological alternative to artificial fillings and implants.
Scientists have grown a human tooth in a lab for the first time, marking a significant step toward regenerative dental treatments.The study, carried out in London by King's College and Imperial College, used a specially developed material to mimic the conditions required for natural tooth development.
The project could eventually offer patients a biological alternative to artificial fillings and implants, using their own cells to grow replacement teeth that integrate naturally into the jaw.Why It MattersThe ability to grow human teeth could significantly improve outcomes for patients who lose adult teeth because of injury, decay or disease. Unlike current solutions—including implants and crowns, which can degrade over time or cause complications—lab-grown teeth would be capable of natural repair and adaptation. Researchers suggest the innovation could also reduce reliance on invasive dental surgeries.What To KnowTooth loss in adults typically leads to treatments such as fillings, dentures or implants—all of which have limitations. Fillings can weaken the surrounding tooth structure and often require replacement, while implants involve surgery and may not fully mimic the function of natural teeth.The new method developed at King's College London involves recreating the early stages of tooth formation using bioengineered materials.'We have developed an environment by using new materials that will allow cells to efficiently communicate to each other and start forming teeth 'in a dish',' Dr. Ana Angelova Volponi, a co-author of the study and the director of the Postgraduate in Regenerative Dentistry Program at King's College London, told Newsweek.'As the field progresses, the integration of such innovative techniques holds the potential to revolutionize dental care, offering sustainable and effective solutions for tooth repair and regeneration,' she said.Similarly Xuechen Zhang, another author of the study, said: 'This environment is more 'tuneable' and can be better adjusted to promote the process of tooth-making. With this, we might be one step closer to growing human teeth in a lab in near future.''We developed this material in collaboration with Imperial College to replicate the environment around the cells in the body, known as the matrix. This meant that when we introduced the cultured cells, they were able to send signals to each other to start the tooth formation process,' said Zhang.According to researchers, the material allows cells to communicate in a way that mirrors the signaling processes found during natural tooth development. Previous attempts failed because the necessary signals were released all at once rather than gradually.Now that researchers have replicated the right environment, the challenge is translating the discovery into a clinical setting.'We have different ideas to put the teeth inside the mouth. We could transplant the young tooth cells at the location of the missing tooth and let them grow inside mouth,' Zhang said. 'Alternatively, we could create the whole tooth in the lab before placing it in the patient's mouth. For both options, we need to start the very early tooth development process in the lab.'What People Are SayingXuechen Zhang, from the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at King's College London, said in a news release: 'Fillings aren't the best solution for repairing teeth. Over time, they will weaken tooth structure, have a limited life span, and can lead to further decay or sensitivity. Implants require invasive surgery and good combination of implants and alveolar bone. Both solutions are artificial and don't fully restore natural tooth function, potentially leading to long-term complications.'What Happens NextWith the lab environment now replicating early tooth development, the next steps involve testing the two delivery options in preclinical models. Researchers seek to determine which method is safer, more reliable and more compatible with routine dental care.If future trials are successful, patients could eventually receive custom-grown teeth derived from their own cells, minimizing the risks of rejection and offering a regenerative alternative to traditional dentistry.Update 4/15/25 9:04 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with new comment.
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