Groundbreaking research has emerged that could transform human life, which has long been limited to a single set of permanent teeth.
While sharks can replace their teeth thousands of times and elephants up to six times, humans have had no such advantage. Once permanent teeth are lost, the only options have been expensive and often uncomfortable alternatives like implants or dentures. However, this may soon change, as scientists have successfully grown human tooth tissue in the lab.
Researchers from King’s College London, in collaboration with Imperial College London, announced that they had developed a biomaterial that mimics the environment necessary for tooth development. This material promotes intercellular signaling, enabling teeth to grow naturally. The team successfully used this process to form and cultivate tooth tissue under laboratory conditions.
Dr. Ana Angelova Volponi, head of regenerative dentistry at King’s College, explained, “The idea of biologically replacing lost teeth through natural regrowth inspired this research. We are making real progress in closing the knowledge gap by growing teeth under controlled laboratory conditions.”
Currently, dental implants require surgically placing a titanium root into the jawbone, onto which an artificial tooth is attached. In contrast, lab-grown teeth would integrate naturally with gum tissue — a leap forward that could reshape the future of dental care.
Shuchen Zhang, a doctoral candidate involved in the study, said, “This technology promises to be more durable and long-lasting than current solutions. It also eliminates the risk of immune rejection, offering a biologically superior and more sustainable alternative to conventional fillings or implants.”
The next challenge for researchers is successfully implanting these lab-grown teeth into human mouths.
The research team is now testing two approaches: one involves transplanting young tooth cells directly into the mouth, allowing the teeth to develop, and the other involves implanting fully developed teeth grown in the lab. In both cases, the early stages of tooth formation would occur under controlled laboratory conditions.
If successful, this technology could usher in a new era of oral health care. Dental health affects much more than just appearance — it plays a critical role in eating, speaking, social interactions, and overall health. Infections that begin in the mouth can even enter the bloodstream and trigger more serious systemic health issues.
Dr. Saoirse O’Toole, a clinical lecturer in prosthodontics at King’s College, remarked, “This tooth regeneration technology is up-and-coming and could one day revolutionize dentistry. While it may not be ready during my career, it can become a reality for future generations.”
Experts believe this breakthrough could mark a turning point in dental science, moving beyond traditional prosthetics and offering a biologically authentic solution.
One specialist noted that, unlike sharks and elephants, humans have a limited ability to replace teeth, and until now, artificial prosthetics have been the only solution for lost permanent teeth. They said this research opens the door to fundamentally rethinking the approach to dental care.
The expert added that lab-grown teeth, which can integrate with gum tissue and function like natural teeth, overcome the biological limitations of current implants. As transplant techniques continue to evolve, there may come a day when people can regain their real teeth.
They concluded that this technology goes beyond cosmetic repair—it improves biocompatibility and functionality, representing a breakthrough for dentistry and the broader fields of regenerative medicine, genetics, and tissue engineering.
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