Scientists in the UK have developed a material that enables lab-grown teeth, offering an alternative to fillings and dental implants. The breakthrough could pave the way for new solutions to repair damaged or infected teeth.
Researchers created a special material called hydrogel that allows cells to communicate with each other like they do in the body. This enabled them to grow teeth from a patient’s cells in a lab setting. The process could potentially replace fillings and implants, which often need to be replaced and can cause complications.
The researchers’ goal is to develop tooth replacements that are longer-lasting, stronger, and less likely to be rejected by the body. They plan to work out the best way to introduce a replacement tooth into a patient’s mouth and explore different options, such as transplanting young tooth cells or creating the whole tooth in the lab.
The development of lab-grown teeth holds promise for revolutionizing dental care with sustainable and effective solutions for tooth repair and regeneration.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/lab-grown-teeth-could-offer-alternative-to-fillings-and-implants-scientists-say