April 15, 2025 - In a significant breakthrough, scientists at King’s College London have, for the first time, successfully grown human teeth in a laboratory. They claim that the same method used to grow teeth in the lab can also be applied to grow them inside the human mouth. If successful, this would mark a major breakthrough in the field of dentistry. Instead of relying on fillings or implants, people would be able to get natural teeth re-grown.

According to a report by The Independent, the lab-grown tooth was developed using human cells. The researches developed a material that mimics the environment which is required for development of tooth. This allowed cells to send signals and start growing a tooth.

It can be easily implanted into the jaw and, if damaged, can be repaired just like a natural tooth. The team of scientists is now experimenting with two approaches. The first involves fully growing the tooth in a lab and then implanting it into the jaw. The second involves inserting early-stage tooth cells directly into the jaw, where they will naturally develop into a full tooth—just like permanent teeth grow after baby teeth fall out in childhood.

The researchers are working on a technique that could allow a new tooth to grow in place of a lost one. In this process, tiny early-stage cells of the tooth would be introduced into the jaw, where they would gradually develop into a real tooth.

Xuechen Zhang, from the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, and a member of the research team said the tooth will grow in the same way that new teeth emerge after milk teeth fall out in childhood.

“Fillings aren’t the best solution for reparing teeth. Over time, they will weaken tooth structure, have a limited lifespan, and can lead to further decay or sensitivity. Implants require invasive surgery and good combination of implants and alveolar bone. Both solutions are artificial and don’t fully restore natural tooth function, potentially leading to long-term complications," he explained.

Scientists say that lab-grown teeth, on the other hand, will function just like natural ones - and will be equally strong.

Dr Ana Angelova-Volponi, director of regenerative dentistry at King’s College London, said the breakthrough has the possibility to “revolutionise dental care”.

With Media Inputs