Dental implants could soon be grown in the mouth using stem cells, according to a researcher from an American university.
The process, designed by the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at Columbia University Medical Centre, would allow patients to regrow a tooth in as little as nine weeks.
Using stem cells, the technique creates a three-dimensional scaffolding system in the tooth socket.
The scientist behind the new technology, Dr Jeremy Mao, said it could be a cheaper alternative to dental implants and more reliable and long-lasting as the regenerated teeth would completely integrate with the surrounding tissue.
Stem cells are able to grow into many types of human tissue and are often capable of renewing themselves indefinitely, according to the US National Institutes for Health.
His study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, outlined a course of action that is quicker than traditional tooth implants, which can take up to 18 months to heal completely.