Lab-Grown Teeth: A Dental Revolution from King's College London
April 14, 2025
Experts like Saoirse O'Toole view the potential for regrown teeth as a game-changer in dentistry, expressing optimism for its future application in dental practice.
Researchers at King’s College London are pioneering the development of lab-grown replacement teeth and fillings made from human cells, which could revolutionize dental practices.
Tooth loss is a significant global issue that affects millions, leading to decreased quality of life and costly dental treatments.
Moreover, poor oral health is linked to broader health problems, such as heart disease, making this technology particularly impactful for the elderly, who often suffer from tooth decay.
This innovative approach mimics natural bodily processes, allowing cells to release signals gradually, which helps them organize into tooth structures effectively.
The new material developed by researchers enables a slow release of signals between cells, which is crucial for effective tooth formation, contrasting with previous methods that delivered signals all at once.
A significant breakthrough was achieved in collaboration with Imperial College, where researchers discovered that suspending cells in specialized three-dimensional matrices improved signaling and coordination.
Previous attempts to grow human teeth in the lab faced challenges due to ineffective cellular communication among stem cells, an issue this research aims to address.
Traditional dental implants require invasive surgery and can lead to complications, whereas lab-grown teeth are expected to integrate better with the jaw and offer enhanced durability and compatibility.
Dr. Angelova-Volponi highlighted the potential of these innovative techniques to provide sustainable and effective solutions for tooth repair and regeneration.
While still in its early stages, this discovery represents a promising advancement in regenerative dental medicine.
This research is part of a broader field of regenerative medicine, which focuses on using biological methods to repair or replace damaged body parts with natural alternatives instead of artificial materials.
Summary based on 6 sources
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Sources

BBC News • Apr 13, 2025
King's College scientists' lab-grown human teeth breakthrough
The Independent • Apr 13, 2025
Human teeth successfully grown in a lab for first time by scientists
Times Of India • Apr 15, 2025
Scientists grow human teeth in a lab, and it may change dentistry forever
Popular Science • Apr 15, 2025
Lab-grown teeth could be the future of dentistry