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No dental implants and filling required: How lab-grown teeth by UK researchers are a breakthrough

Made from human cells, these self-healing teeth can replace the damaged ones

Lab-grown teeth are expected to be more durable and resistant to decay and since it is made from human cells would grow into the jawbone, reducing the risk of rejection. (Source: File)

How many of us are troubled with repeated fillings and implants for our damaged teeth as they have a limited span? Now, thanks to researchers at King’s College, London, you could one day grow your own replacement teeth cultured from your cells, grown in a laboratory and transplanted into your jaw, mimicking the original set you were born with.

Elaborating on this new breakthrough in regenerative medicine, Xuechen Zhang from the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, said, “Fillings aren’t the best solution for repairing teeth. Over time, they will weaken tooth structure, have a limited lifespan, and can lead to further decay or sensitivity. Implants require invasive surgery….Both solutions are artificial and don’t fully restore natural tooth function, potentially leading to long-term complications.”

He and his team are looking at transplanting young tooth cells at the location of the missing tooth and letting them grow inside the mouth. “Alternatively, we could create the whole tooth in the lab before placing it in the patient’s mouth. For both options, we need to start the very early tooth development process in the lab,” said Dr Zhang.

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How is this research transformative?

Lab-grown teeth are expected to be more durable and resistant to decay and since they are made from human cells, would grow into the jawbone, reducing the risk of rejection. Besides, lab-grown teeth can repair and renew themselves, limiting your visits to the dentist.

“If this experiment succeeds in larger trials, it would completely change how dental treatments are planned and followed worldwide,” says Dr Bibhakar Ranjan, dental surgeon and researcher in Bonn, Germany. He also adds that this breakthrough would not only cut the cost of dental treatment but also give something biologically compatible, aesthetically pleasant and stronger natural teeth to patients.

How did the researchers grow teeth in a lab?

The researchers created a special hydrogel matrix that enables cells to communicate between each other. “This means that one cell can communicate with another to start differentiating into a tooth cell. This mimics the environment of growing teeth and allows scientists to recreate the process of developing teeth in the lab,” according to the study. So when the cultured cells are introduced into the human jaw, they would be able to send signals to each other to start the process of forming a tooth. The best part is that this new matrix doesn’t disrupt other biological processes.

What it means for India

India is one of the countries with a high number of dental patients. “Many people lose teeth due to cavities and even lack of dental treatment. If this breakthrough works and is available for all, it could be a permanent solution,” says Dr Ranjan. In short, our teeth could repair themselves and heal the same way as a cut on the skin.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More