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    Third teeth, i.e. teeth growing from stem cells

    Daniel·June 3, 2026·380 comments

    Modern dentistry is developing toward increasingly advanced and less invasive treatment methods. One of the most promising concepts for the future is the so-called third teeth — teeth grown from stem cells. Although the technology is still at the research stage, it offers great hope in the context of treating edentulism, anodontia in children, and restoring natural dentition. Learn what the concept of third teeth involves and what solutions modern dentistry currently offers.

    What Are Third Teeth from Stem Cells?

    Until recently, “third teeth” was a metaphorical term for dentures. Today, however, it refers to the possibility of growing a new tooth from stem cells. Unlike traditional methods such as implants, prosthetic bridges, or implant-supported dentures, third teeth are intended to be biological structures resembling natural teeth in both anatomy and function.

    The stem cells used in this process could come from various sources: dental pulp, periodontal tissues, gums, bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or induced pluripotent cells, for example from dental pulp. Under appropriate laboratory conditions, specific stem cells have the ability to differentiate into particular tooth structures — enamel, dentin, cementum, as well as supporting tissues. Thanks to the use of special biodegradable scaffolds, tissue engineering makes it possible to form a three-dimensional structure resembling a tooth bud.

    Although the concept of third teeth is still experimental, it has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of edentulism by enabling biological restoration of dentition without the need for implants or prosthetic restorations. This is the future of regenerative dentistry, which may lead to the creation of teeth fully compatible with a patient’s natural teeth in terms of structure, function, and integration with the oral cavity.

    Third Teeth and the Dentistry of the Future — Research

    Although the concept of tooth regeneration using stem cells may seem futuristic, work on its implementation has in fact been ongoing for more than a decade. Scientific research and clinical experiments conducted around the world show that “third teeth” are not merely a theoretical idea, but a real goal of modern regenerative dentistry. Several countries stand out among the most interesting projects and studies, with Poland occupying one of the leading positions.

    Polish Research on Third Teeth

    In Poland, work on third teeth is interdisciplinary and focuses on the biological reconstruction of tooth structures using dental-derived stem cells. The research began with the collection of animal-derived stem cells and later human stem cells, primarily from the dental pulp of deciduous and permanent teeth. The cells are isolated and cultured under laboratory conditions, and then directed toward differentiation into odontoblasts, the cells responsible for building dentin. At the same time, research is being carried out on the regeneration of pulp and root cementum, which may enable the creation of tooth buds.

    Polish research teams are also working on ways to integrate newly formed tooth structures with the surrounding bone and epithelial tissue in the oral cavity. An important part of the research involves developing safe, biocompatible carriers that support regeneration and allow three-dimensional formation of a structure resembling a natural tooth. In vivo studies are planned in the coming years, which may open the way to the implementation of the first clinical therapies.

    American Tissue Engineering

    In the United States, research into obtaining third teeth has been developing intensively for more than a decade. Researchers focus on three main areas:

    • acquisition and cultivation of stem cells — cells are obtained, among others, from dental pulp, gums, and the patient’s periodontal tissue, then multiplied under laboratory conditions and transformed into cells that form dentin, root canals, and pulp,
    • biodegradable 3D scaffolds — scientists are developing scaffolds made from materials such as polycaprolactone or hydroxyapatite, which allow three-dimensional tooth formation. When introduced into the surgical site, they help the patient’s body grow a tooth while supporting integration with bone and vascular tissue,
    • in vivo models — in experiments carried out on animals, researchers succeeded in growing so-called tooth buds which, after implantation, grew in the jawbone, integrated with blood vessels and nerves, and produced a functional structure similar to a natural tooth.

    Currently, the biggest challenges are achieving full functionality and obtaining innervation capable of transmitting pain and temperature. It is also necessary to control growth in order to avoid excessive tissue development or incorrect integration with craniofacial structures.

    Japanese Tooth Growth Stimulation

    In Japan, slightly different pioneering research is being conducted. Instead of creating teeth in a laboratory, it focuses on reactivating the natural mechanisms of tooth growth in the human oral cavity. The main goal is to stimulate “dormant” tooth buds, which may be triggered to grow using pharmacological therapy. One of the breakthrough projects involves testing a drug that blocks the USAG-1 protein, which inhibits the action of BMP-family proteins responsible for the development of tooth structures during the embryonic stage. By deactivating this protein, it may be possible to “restart” the mechanisms responsible for the growth of new teeth, referred to as third teeth.

    Initial experiments conducted on mice and ferrets demonstrated the effectiveness of the therapy — after administration of the drug, additional developed teeth appeared in the animals. The first clinical trials in humans are scheduled to begin in September 2025, with the aim of assessing the safety and effectiveness of the therapy. If the studies are successful, the first pharmacological method stimulating natural tooth growth may become available by 2030.

    Who Needs Third Teeth? Indications

    The introduction of biological tooth regeneration could bring enormous benefits to a wide group of patients. Although the technology is currently still in the development phase, the possibilities offered by this method extend across various clinical groups. Researchers already point to its potential for people with limited options for implant treatment and for patients with developmental defects such as congenital edentulism. Patients who could hypothetically benefit from this method in the future include:

    • children with congenital absence of tooth buds, known as anodontia, who currently do not qualify for implants because their bone structures are not yet mature,
    • people who lose teeth early due to trauma or severe forms of periodontal disease,
    • patients with extensive bone loss in the maxilla or mandible,
    • people with allergies or intolerance to materials used in implants,
    • patients with healing complications after surgical procedures.

    Although there are still no clear clinical indications, the very vision of being able to “grow” a third tooth — or one’s own tooth in the case of anodontia — using the patient’s stem cells offers hope for new forms of treating missing teeth in the future.

    Treatment Options Available in Modern Dentistry

    Although third teeth remain in the sphere of research and technological development, modern dentistry already offers patients a wide range of advanced solutions. Clinics such as Focus Clinic use, among others, zygomatic implants and individually designed subperiosteal implants, which can be applied in cases of limited bone quantity or complex anatomical conditions. Bridges and implant-supported dentures, as well as All-on-4 solutions, are alternatives to traditional removable dentures. At Focus Clinic, treatment is carried out according to the proprietary Focus System, which includes precise diagnostics, individual treatment planning, and comprehensive post-procedure care. In addition, patients after surgical procedures can benefit from innovative regeneration methods such as hilotherapy, which not only reduces pain and swelling but also accelerates tissue healing. This means that modern dentistry can already offer access to innovative treatment methods that are effective, increasingly comfortable, and less burdensome for the patient’s health.

    Thanks to the dynamic progress of science and cooperation between biologists, biomedical engineers, and dental surgeons, the future of implantology may become much more biological and physiological than it is today. The concept of third teeth from stem cells is one of the most exciting directions in the development of dentistry.

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    Daniel

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