In a laboratory at King's College London, a 'dental revolution' is quietly brewing. The research team led by Professor Anna Walboni and Dr. Zhang Xuechen is committed to enabling humans to "grow" new teeth after tooth damage - this is not science fiction, but a new possibility given to dentistry by regenerative medicine. Recently, the research team stated in an interview with our reporter: "Our goal is to no longer rely on artificial materials such as metal implants or dentures, but to use biology to repair or replace damaged body parts, and to cultivate natural teeth using stem cells and bioengineering environments." During the human growth process, humans will experience two periods of tooth growth, "baby teeth" and "permanent teeth," but many species in nature have the ability to continuously change teeth, which has inspired and inspired scientists. For example, sharks have teeth that are not fixed to the jawbone, but arranged like conveyor belts in the gingival tissue. When there is a missing tooth, the backup teeth will continue to be replenished, and a shark can replace thousands of teeth in its lifetime. We hope to simulate this naturally occurring situation under laboratory conditions to promote tooth development, "said Walboni. It is reported that tooth development depends on the interaction between oral epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells, involving stages such as the bud stage, cap stage, and bell stage, ultimately forming enamel, dentin, and supporting structures. The generation of dental organoids in vitro requires simulation of these developmental processes, and suitable biomaterials are key to supporting cell self-organization and tooth morphogenesis. After years of research and development, the Wolponi team has utilized an innovative biomimetic material to cultivate the "third set" of human teeth. This biomimetic material simulates the three-dimensional structure and biological signaling pathways required for tooth development, which not only supports cell growth, but more importantly, can regulate the release of signaling factors, thereby inducing stem cells to differentiate into tooth tissue. This is like creating a space suitable for communication between cells, significantly improving the controllability and efficiency of in vitro dental organoid generation, and providing a stronger platform for future regenerative dentistry and developmental research. This innovative material was developed in collaboration between King's College London and Imperial College London. Walboni said: "Although traditional materials can support cell interaction, their physical and mechanical properties are limited in regulation. For the first time, we used bioorthogonal cross-linked gelatin gel to explore its potential in tooth organ engineering by fine regulating its performance." Zhang Xuechen further explained that "these smart scaffold materials are like a medium for cell to cell communication. By adjusting their physical and chemical properties, cells can be guided to interact and develop in a set way, and then build a complete tooth development path. This is a key breakthrough that traditional materials and technologies cannot achieve." Zhang Xuechen said that although the technology of traditional metal crowns or ceramic implants is relatively mature, they are non biological materials There are risks of rejection, infection, and failure of fusion with bone tissue. The teeth cultivated in this new way are developed through cell growth and are highly compatible with oral tissues, with structures and functions comparable to natural teeth. This regeneration method not only improves biocompatibility, but also effectively reduces the incidence of complications, providing patients with safer and more durable treatment options. How long will it take for this technology to go from laboratory to clinical application? Wolponi did not provide a clear timetable for this. She admitted that the team has successfully cultivated "tooth like tissue" in the laboratory, but has not yet fully replicated complete human teeth. "The stable cultivation of complete functional teeth using human cells still needs to be tackled. The formation of teeth is not a single cellular behavior, but a complex process of communication and collaboration between multiple cell types. ”Wolponi metaphorically said, "The dialogue between cells is like encrypted telegrams. After one cell sends a command, another cell will transmit a feedback signal. This dynamic communication is still a mystery. The team has improved the efficiency of tooth formation by more than twice through a new activator, but it still takes time to completely decipher the 'cell language'. If we can understand the 'cell language', we may be able to transcribe and reprogram it in the future to achieve true organ reconstruction." Zhang Xuechen believes that there are two ways to promote the growth of regenerated teeth in the future: young regenerated tooth embryos can be transplanted to the site of missing teeth and grown in the oral cavity; Alternatively, complete teeth can be cultivated in the laboratory and then implanted into the patient's mouth. Industry experts believe that with the deep integration of gene editing and biomaterials, tooth regeneration technology may become the first key to unlocking the human body's regenerative ability - it will not only redefine dental medicine, but also update human understanding of the limits of life. In the future, lifelong tooth replacement may no longer be just a miracle in nature. When human cells on the biomimetic scaffold begin to "talk" and grow, the buzzing of a drill may no longer be needed on the dentist's desk, but instead the regenerative power of life itself. (New Society)