British scientists from King’s College London and Imperial College London have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize modern regenerative dentistry. For the first time, a human tooth has been successfully grown in laboratory conditions using human stem cells and specific signaling factors. This discovery paves the way for future treatment of tooth loss without the use of implants—through biological regeneration of teeth directly within the patient’s oral cavity.
Scientists have grown a tooth from stem cells in laboratory conditions.
The experiment could revolutionize the treatment of dental cavities and serve as an alternative to implants.
Work is ongoing to transfer the technology from the lab to clinical practice.
In humans, tooth regeneration is more difficult than in animals due to the structural and functional complexity of teeth.
While the implementation of the technology may take many years, it represents a crucial step toward biological tooth regeneration.
A lab-grown tooth: how did the experiment work?
The research team in London focused on recreating the natural environment in which teeth develop in the human jaw. To this end, they used:
– stem cells of human origin,
– substances enabling intercellular communication that stimulate cells to differentiate into dental tissues.
As a result, a fully developed tooth structure was formed—closely resembling a tooth formed under physiological conditions. This is the most advanced approach to biological tooth creation to date, and it has the potential to replace traditional dental implants.
Two research directions: lab cultivation or in situ regeneration?
As emphasized by Xuechen Zhang from King’s College London, the researchers are currently exploring two possible scenarios for implementing this technology:
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Cultivating a tooth in the laboratory and transplanting it into the patient’s oral cavity.
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Directly introducing stem cells into the site of tooth loss, enabling regeneration on-site.
Although the second option appears more promising from a clinical standpoint, it also poses more challenges in terms of controlling the cell differentiation process and integrating the new tooth with existing tissues.
Will teeth regrow like in reptiles?
Unlike reptiles and fish, humans do not regrow teeth because the stem cells responsible for regeneration disappear after the transition from primary to permanent dentition. In animals, the ability to regenerate teeth persists throughout life, thanks to the presence of active stem cells in the oral cavity.
In humans, another major challenge is the complex structure and varied functions of teeth—from cutting to grinding food. Biologically recreating these functions requires precise control of many cellular differentiation mechanisms.
Will dental implants become a thing of the past?
Professor Saoirse O’Toole from King’s College London emphasizes that despite the enormous potential, bringing this technology into everyday dental practice may still take many years. Before stem cell-based treatments become widely available, further clinical studies, safety testing, and development of therapeutic protocols are essential.
For now, prevention remains the most important factor—proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet are key to avoiding tooth loss.
Nowy Gabinet Stomatologiczny: A breakthrough in regenerative dentistry
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