In a breakthrough that could transform modern dentistry, researchers at Tufts University have successfully bioengineered tooth-like structures in miniature pigs using a combination of human and porcine dental stem cells. The study, conducted by scientists from the Tufts School of Dental Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, represents a major step forward in regenerative dental medicine.
The team extracted mesenchymal stem cells from the pulp of extracted human wisdom teeth and combined them with epithelial cells from the developing tooth buds of pig embryos. These hybrid cell structures were then placed onto a biocompatible scaffold and implanted into the jaws of adult miniature pigs.
Over several months, the pigs began forming tooth-like tissues, including dentin and cementum—the key mineralized components of natural teeth. According to the researchers, these lab-grown structures also showed signs of periodontal ligament development, meaning they may one day anchor into the jaw like real teeth rather than acting as fixed implants.
This regenerative approach could offer a natural and longer-lasting alternative to traditional dental implants, which have a limited lifespan and carry risks such as infection, implant rejection, and bone loss.
Unlike synthetic implants, the bioengineered teeth would contain living tissue and could integrate more seamlessly into the patient’s jaw, responding better to chewing forces and possibly even adapting over time. Most importantly, they could help avoid complex surgeries and repeated replacements later in life.
“We’re not just replicating the look of a tooth, but trying to restore full biological function,” said one of the lead scientists involved in the project.
Though still in the experimental phase and not yet approved for human use, the team at Tufts envisions a future where a patient’s own cells could be used to grow replacement teeth directly in the mouth—eliminating the need for lab-grown constructs or complex transplantation.
If successful, such procedures would represent a paradigm shift in dentistry, making it possible to regrow lost or damaged teeth in a personalized, less invasive, and potentially more affordable way.
The researchers stress that more studies are needed, especially in larger animal models and eventually in clinical trials. However, the findings have sparked hope that millions of patients with missing or damaged teeth may one day have access to bioengineered replacements that function and feel like the real thing.
