PEOPLE might one day walk into dental clinics not for crowns or implants, but for biological therapies.
That is, to restore missing teeth naturally using their own cells. In other words, to regrow teeth – literally.
For centuries, the idea of humans regrowing lost teeth has seemed like the stuff of science fiction. It was a fantasy dreamed up in novels or futuristic movies.
Over the past few years, however, cutting-edge science has transformed that dream into a real area of research, with scientists around the world making significant strides toward the possibility that, one day, people could literally regrow their own teeth.
Traditional dentistry relies on artificial solutions such as fillings, crowns, dentures and implants to replace decayed or missing teeth. While these techniques are effective, they come with limitations — they can wear out over time, may require invasive procedures, and can never fully replicate the sensation and integration of a natural tooth.
Until very recently, biological regeneration of whole human teeth remained out of reach.
A major push in this field comes from stem cell biology and bioengineering. Researchers have long known that some mammals and reptiles can regrow teeth throughout life, and scientists are trying to bring similar capabilities to humans.
Teeth develop through complex interactions between specialized cell types — particularly dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells — and a tightly choreographed sequence of genetic signals. By understanding and replicating these signals, researchers hope to trigger new tooth growth.
At the forefront is work taking place at institutions like King’s College London, where teams have made headlines by successfully growing teeth in the lab.
By designing biomaterials that mimic the natural cellular environment of tooth development, the scientists enabled cultured dental cells to communicate and begin forming tooth structures — an essential step toward developing fully functional bioengineered teeth.
One of the most talked-about avenues of research is an experimental drug developed in Japan that targets a protein responsible for suppressing tooth development. Early animal studies suggested that blocking this protein — known as USAG-1 — could reactivate dormant dental buds and stimulate the growth of new teeth.
Encouraged by these results, researchers began human clinical trials in 2024, enrolling adults missing one or more teeth to test safety and efficacy. If all goes well, scientists hope this kind of treatment may be available to patients by around 2030.
In parallel, other teams are exploring bioengineered tooth buds that combine human dental cells with supportive scaffolds and materials.
In animal models such as pigs — whose dental biology shares important similarities with humans — researchers have successfully grown human-like teeth that form hard structures including dentin and enamel. These findings represent an important step toward someday replacing artificial implants with living, functional teeth.
Despite the excitement, tooth regeneration remains a work in progress. The complex biological choreography that forms a natural tooth involves many cell types and tightly regulated signaling pathways — and researchers still need to solve how to reliably induce and control these processes in human patients. Identifying suitable stem cell sources and ensuring safe, consistent outcomes will be crucial for clinical success.
If these efforts ultimately succeed, the implications would be profound.
Beyond improved function and durability, such approaches could reduce the need for invasive surgery and ongoing maintenance of artificial devices.
While it may be years before everyday patients benefit from tooth-regrowing treatments, the pace of progress — from laboratory breakthroughs to human trials — suggests that what once belonged in science fiction is now firmly within the realm of future scientific reality.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
