Researchers at King’s College London and Imperial College London have made a breakthrough in developing a material that boosts cell-to-cell communication, enabling the growth of fresh tooth structures in a lab. The hydrogel created by the team encourages natural tooth growth using dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells from mice embryos.
According to Xuechen Zhang, a PhD candidate studying regenerative dentistry at KCL, lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate, integrating into the jaw as real teeth. They would be stronger, longer-lasting, and free from rejection risks, offering a more durable solution than fillings or implants.
The material works by releasing signals slowly over time, mimicking what happens in the human body. This approach differs from previous attempts that sent all signals at once. The next challenge is to replicate this environment in our mouths, with options including cell transplantation and implanting fully grown teeth.
This research builds upon discoveries of species that can regrow their own teeth, bringing us closer to achieving similar capabilities as humans. An antibody treatment is also being investigated for anodontia, a condition preventing teeth from growing, which could be ready by the end of the decade.
The integration of this innovative technique holds potential to revolutionize dental care, offering sustainable and effective solutions for tooth repair and regeneration.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/lab-grown-teeth-are-another-step-closer-to-reality-scientists-reveal