Key Takeaways
- Scientists at King’s College London grew early-stage tooth organoids in the lab.
- The method uses dental stem cells and controlled cell signaling.
- The research is experimental and not yet ready for clinical use.
Dr. Ana Angelova Volponi holding a model tooth for illustration purposes. The actual lab-grown structures are microscopic organoids, not visible to the naked eye. Credit: King’s College London
In the United Kingdom, a team of scientists has successfully grown a tooth organoid in the lab. Eventually, this could lead to a more durable and stronger alternative to fillings and dental implants.
Although promising, this research is currently in the pre-clinical stage. Human trials have not yet begun, and more testing is needed before these teeth can be used in actual dental practice.
Could We Soon Be Growing Our Own Teeth?
Researchers at King’s College London have grown a tooth organoid — an early-stage 3D cell structure that mimics the start of natural tooth development. “While some animals, like sharks and elephants, can continuously develop new teeth, humans only have one set in adulthood,” they explain in a statement. “The ability to regenerate teeth would represent a major advancement in dentistry.”
Why Are Fillings and Implants Not Enough?
Xuechen Zhang, co-author of the research and member of the Faculty of Dentistry at King’s College London, points out that fillings are “not the best solution” for repairing teeth. “Over time, they weaken the tooth structure, have a limited lifespan, and can worsen cavities or sensitivity,” he explains. “Implants require invasive surgical procedures.”
In the long term, fillings and implants can lead to complications. In contrast, the lab-grown structures could one day lead to teeth that regenerate and integrate with the jaw, but this remains a long-term goal.“They are stronger, more durable, and carry no risk of rejection, offering a more lasting and biologically compatible solution compared to fillings or implants,” says the specialist.
How Researchers Recreated the Tooth Environment
Zhang and Volponi’s team used epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells from dental tissue. They embedded the cells in a custom-designed hydrogel that gradually released signals, supporting early-stage tooth formation. This matrix enabled the cells to communicate and differentiate as they would during natural embryonic tooth development, forming a structure that resembles the early stage of a developing tooth (tooth germ).
What’s Next: Implanting Teeth into Patients
The next step will be implanting these lab-grown teeth into patients’ mouths. To do this, the scientists are considering two main options:
- Transplant young dental cells into the site of the missing tooth and allow them to grow in the mouth
- Or grow the entire tooth in the lab and then implant it into the patient’s mouth
Regardless of the method, the scientists are already celebrating these promising results.
Are Lab-Grown Teeth Ready for Humans?
“This breakthrough lays the foundation for a future where dentists might help patients regrow teeth rather than fill cavities,” said Dr. Volponi. “We still have a long way to go, but our early results are incredibly promising and show real potential to change how we think about dental care.”
Imagine going to the dentist not for a crown or implant, but to grow your own tooth. It may sound futuristic, but with research like this, that future is getting closer.
Related Reading:
New Study Identifies Gene That Could Enable Natural Tooth Regrowth in Humans
Dental Health: 5 Ways Missing Teeth Can Negatively Affect Your Oral Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Did scientists grow a full human tooth?
No. They grew an early-stage tooth organoid, not a complete tooth.
What is a tooth organoid?
It’s a small 3D structure that mimics the start of natural tooth development.
What was the breakthrough?
They created a material that allows dental cells to signal each other gradually, like in the body.
Why does gradual signaling matter?
It helps cells develop in a controlled, natural way — past attempts failed because signals came all at once.
What material did they use?
A specially engineered hydrogel made from modified gelatin.
Was this tested in people or animals?
No. All experiments were done in lab dishes (in vitro).
Can this replace fillings or implants yet?
Not yet. It’s early research, and clinical use is years away.
How might this work in the future?
Scientists hope to grow teeth in the lab or start growth directly in the jaw.
Who led the study?
Researchers at King’s College London, with Imperial College as collaborators.
Is the tooth in the press photo real?
No. It’s a model used for illustration — not from the lab.
Bottom Line
The idea of regrowing your own teeth sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, and thanks to this research, it’s edging closer to reality. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Yes, the lab-grown tooth buds are a huge step forward. Still, they’ve only been grown in controlled environments, not inside a living, chewing, coffee-drinking, stress-clenching human being. We don’t yet know how these teeth would behave once implanted, whether they’ll fully develop, stay structurally sound, or integrate without complications.
There’s also the practical side. How accessible will this be? Will it be affordable? Will it work for everyone, or only in very specific cases? Right now, it’s impossible to say.
In the meantime, your best bet is to stick with proven dental care: regular checkups, strong hygiene habits, and trusted treatments like implants or crowns when necessary. But keep watching this space. If the science holds up, we may be heading toward a future where growing a new tooth is as routine as getting a filling, just not tomorrow.
References
Zhang, X., Contessi Negrini, N., Correia, R., Sharpe, P. T., Celiz, A. D., & Angelova Volponi, A. (2024). Generating tooth organoids using defined bioorthogonally cross-linked hydrogels. ACS Macro Letters, 13(12), 1620–1626. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00520
King’s College London. (2025, April 14). Lab-grown teeth might become an alternative to fillings following research breakthrough. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/lab-grown-teeth-might-become-an-alternative-to-fillings-following-research-breakthrough
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