Scientists at King’s College London and Imperial College have made a breakthrough in regenerative dentistry by growing teeth in a lab using bioengineered material that mimics natural tooth development.
This advancement could eventually replace artificial fillings, implants, and dentures. Unlike current solutions, lab-grown teeth could develop naturally in the jaw, adapt over time, and reduce complications.
The team recreated the environment needed for tooth cells to communicate, allowing gradual signaling—unlike earlier methods where signals were released all at once.
“We’ve created a material that allows cells to signal like in natural tooth formation,” said Dr. Ana Angelova Volponi.
Researchers are now testing two methods: growing teeth directly in the patient’s mouth using early-stage tooth cells or growing a full tooth in the lab for later implantation.
If successful, people could regrow their own teeth using their own cells—a natural, low-risk alternative to traditional dental procedures.
