Niamh Shackleton
While some animals like sharks and elephants can continuously grow new teeth, humans aren't as lucky.
Us humans only get one set of teeth (once we get to adulthood), meaning we have to take extra care of them throughout or lives. From flossing, daily cleaning and yearly check-ups, looking after our gnashers can be quite the task.
We all strive to have healthy teeth, but sometimes fillings can end up being unavoidable. They're pretty common in fact, as around 91 percent of Americans have at least one filling, says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For anyone who has had a filling, you'll know that it's far from an enjoyable experience and, not only that, they can prove quite costly. Without insurance, a single tooth filling can set you back as much as $500.
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But fear not folks, as a filling alternative could be on its way as world-leading research is taking place into this field at King’s College London, UK, where scientists have explored lab-grown teeth for more than a decade.
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These lab-grown teeth are made from a patient’s own cells could integrate seamlessly into the jaw and repair itself like a natural tooth.
See a video of the amazing (and somewhat eerie) research here:
Speaking about the research, Xuechen Zhang, from the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, said: "Fillings aren’t the best solution for repairing teeth.
"Over time, they will weaken tooth structure, have a limited lifespan, and can lead to further decay or sensitivity. Implants require invasive surgery and good combination of implants and alveolar bone.
"Both solutions are artificial and don’t fully restore natural tooth function, potentially leading to long-term complications.
"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 and biologically compatible solution than fillings or implants."
Scientists have successfully created the right environment for teeth to grow, but now face the challenge of working out how to get them into patients' mouths.
"We have different ideas to put the teeth inside the mouth," shared Zhang. "We could transplant the young tooth cells at the location of the missing tooth and let them grow inside mouth.
"Alternatively, we could create the whole tooth in the lab before placing it in the patient’s mouth. For both options, we need to start the very early tooth development process in the lab."