Growing New Teeth — The Future of Replacing Missing Teeth

Andrew Chan
4 days ago
3 min read

Ten years ago, if you’d told me that we might one day be able to replace missing teeth by growing new ones in a laboratory, I would’ve said it was impossible. But today, the idea of regenerating real, living teeth is moving rapidly from science fiction to scientific reality — and it could forever change how we think about dental implants and tooth replacement.

Let's have a look at what the latest developments are in this feild, and discuss how close we are to doing away with dental implants, and replacing mising teeth with real lab grown teeth.

Cross-sectional diagram of a developing tooth showing the enamel and dentine layers forming around the dental papillae, the dental lamina connecting to the epithelial nest, and the developing permanent successor tooth within the surrounding bone tissue.

Tooth development begins deep within the jawbone, where specialized stem cells form enamel, dentine, and pulp tissue. This image shows how a new tooth — the permanent successor — grows alongside the primary tooth before emerging.

The Science Behind Regenerating Teeth

Researchers around the world are working on the incredible possibility of regenerating human teeth using stem cells and tissue engineering. The concept revolves around taking cells from the patient’s own gums or pulp tissue and stimulating them to grow into new tooth structures — complete with dentine, enamel, and even the root. Japanese researchers have already managed to regrow fully functional teeth in mice using stem cells, and early human clinical trials are on the horizon. Similar work is being done in the UK and the US, with promising results suggesting that one day, we might be able to “grow” a replacement tooth directly into the jaw — instead of relying on titanium dental implants.

How Close Are We?

While the idea sounds futuristic, progress is accelerating. Scientists have successfully created tooth “buds” — small clusters of cells that can grow into fully formed teeth when implanted into the jawbone of test animals. The next challenge is ensuring the same precision and safety in humans. At present, the technology is still several years away from everyday dental use. Researchers must overcome complex hurdles, including ensuring proper nerve integration, blood supply, and long-term durability. But if the rate of advancement continues, clinical applications could emerge within the next decade.

Why This Matters for Replacing Missing Teeth

At present, dental implants remain the gold standard for restoring missing teeth. They’re strong, long-lasting, and look completely natural. But they still rely on metal fixtures and prosthetic crowns. Tooth regeneration, by contrast, could allow patients to replace missing teeth naturally — without foreign materials — creating a living, biological solution that looks, feels, and functions like the original. Imagine a world where a lost tooth could be replaced not by an implant, but by growing a new one, using your own cells.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite the progress, significant scientific and regulatory challenges remain. Tooth shape, root formation, and nerve connection must all be precisely controlled. Scientists must also ensure that new teeth develop in the correct position and alignment, and integrate safely with the jawbone. However, with rapid advances in regenerative medicine, 3D bioprinting, and stem-cell scaffolding, the timeline for real-world applications is shrinking faster than ever.

Dental Implants Today — The Bridge to the Future

Until regenerative dentistry becomes reality, dental implants remain the most effective and predictable way to replace missing teeth. They restore both function and aesthetics, helping patients eat, speak, and smile with confidence. At Adelaide Tooth Removals & Dental Implants, we’re following these scientific breakthroughs closely while continuing to provide today’s most advanced implant solutions — combining surgical precision with the latest digital planning and bone-grafting techniques.

The Takeaway

The dream of growing new teeth may one day revolutionise how we replace missing teeth, offering a truly natural alternative to dental implants. For now, implants remain the gold standard — but the future of dentistry may lie not in metal and porcelain, but in biology itself. The next generation of smiles might just grow back on their own.