Story perspectives

Scientists Grow Human Teeth Using Innovative Hydrogel Technology

10/24/2025

26 4

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at King’s College London, led by Ana Angelova Volponi, are growing teeth with a hydrogel scaffold.
This work builds on Volponi’s earlier demonstration of tooth-like structures from mouse cells.
A key challenge is replacing mouse cells with human cells for clinical use, with approaches such as growing teeth partially before embedding them in sockets.
A biological tooth would integrate with the body, reducing rejection and better mimicking natural function.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers at King’s College London, led by Ana Angelova Volponi, are growing teeth with a hydrogel scaffold.
This work builds on Volponi’s earlier demonstration of tooth-like structures from mouse cells.
A key challenge is replacing mouse cells with human cells for clinical use, with approaches such as growing teeth partially before embedding them in sockets.
A biological tooth would integrate with the body, reducing rejection and better mimicking natural function.