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Scientists Achieve First Lab-Grown Human Teeth, Advancing Regenerative Dentistry

Researchers at King’s College London and Imperial College London have successfully grown human teeth in a lab, paving the way for natural alternatives to dental repairs.

File photo of a dentist looking at a dental model of a set of teeth in Minden, Germany, 21 November 2016.
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image: © Nick_Picnic | iStock

Overview

  • This breakthrough marks the first successful cultivation of human teeth in a laboratory using bioengineered materials that mimic natural tooth development.
  • The innovation offers a potential alternative to traditional dental repairs like fillings and implants by enabling natural, self-repairing teeth.
  • Researchers developed a material that allows cells to communicate and initiate tooth formation, overcoming prior challenges in the field.
  • Two clinical application approaches are being explored: growing whole teeth in vitro for implantation or transplanting early-stage tooth cells directly into the jaw.
  • The research, over a decade in the making, could revolutionize dental care by providing stronger, longer-lasting, and biologically compatible solutions.