An illustration of a pristine white tooth.
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Experiencing tooth loss can be challenging.

When we lose these critical structures that aid in chewing, our choices are limited to dentures or implants, which can be quite expensive. Additionally, many people face social stigma associated with missing teeth.

Fortunately, researchers may be on the brink of creating a method to regenerate actual teeth. In a recent study released in December, a team from Tufts University announced their success in cultivating human-like teeth in pigs.

According to Pamela Yelick, a professor at Tufts School of Dental Medicine and the principal investigator of the project, pigs have the unique ability to grow multiple sets of teeth—up to six times over their lifespan.

If researchers can decode the biological mechanisms that allow pigs to regrow teeth, Yelick believes the same techniques could someday be applied to humans.

Her team conducted experiments by combining living tissues from both human and pig teeth in a laboratory setting, followed by transplanting these materials into the mouths of miniature pigs. They sourced these tissues from pig jawbones and human teeth that had been pulled for orthodontic treatments.

“In a matter of months, a substantial bioengineered tooth can be developed,” Yelick noted, adding that while the final product may not be completely flawless, it closely resembles a natural tooth.

While this cutting-edge science is not yet ready for human applications, Yelick is optimistic that innovations in regenerative medicine and dentistry will speed up the development of new teeth and even other organs.

The goal, as Yelick explains, is to investigate the growth process of pig teeth to glean insights that could be adapted for human use, ultimately paving the way for stronger, more durable solutions for tooth repair and replacement.

“When considering crowns or dental implants, we realize that many established methods have been in place for over a century,” Yelick emphasized. “It’s time to explore improved alternatives.”

For more information on the team’s discoveries, feel free to read here.