Scientists from Tufts University have created lab-grown human teeth by combining pig tooth cells with human tooth cells, developing structures with the ” morphology of naturally forming teeth”
Once implanted into the jaws of pigs, the teeth developed hard layers of cementum and dentin, which are characteristics of adult teeth, after two months.
The advancement could provide a more natural solution for patients requiring tooth implants, providing “functional, living human teeth”
Existing solutions, such as titanium implants, can lead to infections and require bone reconstruction work due to the erosion of the surrounding bone.
The team is now working on creating “functional, biological tooth substitutes” for human use.