For the first time ever, scientists have successfully grown a human tooth in a laboratory.
This major step was achieved by researchers at King’s College London and Imperial College London. They hope this new method might one day help people regrow real teeth to replace ones they’ve lost.
Right now, people who lose adult teeth usually get artificial replacements, like implants. But these new lab-grown teeth could be a more natural and lasting solution. Dr. Ana Angelova-Volponi, one of the scientists working on the project, said the goal is to create teeth that behave just like the real ones we’re born with.
The team used a special material that helped cells talk to each other. One cell could signal another to begin turning into a tooth cell. This made it possible for the tooth to form just like it would in a real human body.
Unlike implants or fillings, these teeth would grow right into the jaw, making them stronger and more likely to last a long time. Also, because they are made from a person’s own cells, there’s less risk of the body rejecting them.
But don’t toss out your toothbrush just yet! Scientists still need to figure out how to safely put these teeth into people’s mouths, and that could take several more years.
