LONDON, April 14: While many animal species can regenerate their teeth, humans only get one natural chance at a full set of adult teeth — until now.

Scientists at King’s College London have successfully grown a human tooth under laboratory conditions, marking a major breakthrough in regenerative dentistry. Although clinical applications are still years away, researchers believe this advancement is already bridging critical knowledge gaps.

“This idea of replacing a tooth biologically by regrowing it is what brought me to London and to King’s,” said Dr. Ana Angelova-Volponi, Director of Regenerative Dentistry at King’s. “By growing a tooth in a dish, we are truly filling in the gaps of knowledge.”

A perfect smile is highly desirable in modern society, with many people seeking braces or implants to achieve the coveted “reality TV” look. However, dental implants can lead to complications — both for patients and the professionals treating them.

“Implants require invasive surgery and rely on a good combination of implants and the surrounding alveolar bone,” explained Xuechen Zhang, a final-year PhD student at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences. “Lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate and integrate into the jaw like real teeth. They would be stronger, longer-lasting, and free from rejection risks — offering a more durable and biologically compatible solution than current options like fillings or implants.”

In collaboration with Imperial College London, the King’s research team has introduced a novel material that facilitates communication between cells. This means one cell can signal another to begin transforming into a tooth cell, mimicking natural conditions and allowing scientists to recreate the tooth development process in the lab.

Having successfully created the ideal environment to grow teeth, researchers are now focused on figuring out how to transplant these lab-grown teeth into patients’ mouths — a challenge that could take several more years to solve.

“We have different strategies in mind,” Zhang said. “We could transplant immature tooth cells directly into the gap where the tooth is missing and allow them to grow inside the mouth. Alternatively, we could fully grow the tooth in the lab before placing it into the patient’s mouth.”

Regardless of the method, the journey begins in the lab.

Poor oral health has wide-reaching consequences, including difficulties in eating, speaking, and socializing. In severe cases, oral infections can lead to heart problems when bacteria enter the bloodstream. The elderly are particularly at risk. According to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Social Care Institute for Excellence, over half of care home residents have tooth decay, compared to 40% of over-75s who live independently.

Saoirse O’Toole, a clinical lecturer in prosthodontics at King’s College, commented on the implications: “This new technology of regrowing teeth is very exciting and could be a game-changer for dentistry. Will it be available in my professional lifetime? Possibly. In my children’s dental future? Maybe. But in my grandchildren’s lifetime? Hopefully.”