**Lab-Grown Teeth Could Change Dentistry Forever**

Scientists at King’s College London and Imperial College have developed a material that helps grow teeth in the lab by mimicking the natural tooth development process.

**Why It Matters**
This could end the need for fillings, implants, and dentures. “Fillings and implants are limited,” said co-author Xuechen Zhang. “This could be a game-changer in how we treat tooth loss.”

**How It Works**
The team used bioengineered materials that allow cells to signal each other gradually—just like in natural development. “We’ve created a material that allows cells to signal to each other just like in natural tooth formation,” explained Dr. Ana Angelova Volponi. Previous methods failed because signals were released too quickly.

**The Approach**
Two methods are being explored:
1. Growing teeth directly in the patient’s mouth using early-stage cells.
2. Growing full teeth in a lab for later implantation.

**What’s Ahead**
If trials succeed, people could regrow their own teeth using their own cells—reducing rejection risks and offering a natural alternative to artificial solutions.

This breakthrough could reshape how we treat tooth loss in the future.