When a Tooth Restores Sight: The Astonishing “Tooth-in-Eye” Surgery

It sounds like science fiction — but it’s 100% real. Doctors have actually helped blind patients see again using one of their own teeth!

This extraordinary procedure, called Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) — or simply, the tooth-in-eye surgery — is one of the most complex and inspiring examples of modern medicine. It’s used only when all other options, like corneal transplants, can’t restore vision.

How It Works

This groundbreaking technique combines dentistry and eye surgery in a way that almost feels poetic: a tooth helping restore sight.

1.    Tooth Extraction:
A canine (or “eye tooth”) is carefully removed. It’s chosen because it’s strong and deeply rooted.

2.    Lens Implant:
A tiny optical cylinder — an artificial lens — is embedded inside the extracted tooth.

3.    Living Preparation:
The tooth-lens combination is placed under the patient’s skin, usually beneath the cheek or shoulder, for a few months. This allows living tissue and blood vessels to grow around it, making it biologically “alive.”

4.    Implantation in the Eye:
Finally, surgeons implant this bio-integrated tooth-lens into the damaged eye, replacing the opaque cornea. The new “window” lets light reach the retina again — and vision is restored.

Why It Works

Because the tooth comes from the patient’s own body, the immune system doesn’t reject it. This makes it far more successful than synthetic implants, which the body often treats as foreign objects.

A Last Hope for the Blind

For people who’ve lost sight due to burns, trauma, or autoimmune disease, OOKP is often the last hope — and yet it can restore partial or even full functional vision. Patients have described the moment they see again as “a second birth.”

The Hidden Power of Healthy Teeth

This surgery is more than a medical marvel — it’s a reminder that our teeth are living, powerful structures that go far beyond aesthetics. Healthy teeth support more than our smile; they’re deeply connected to our overall well-being.

Strong, well-cared-for teeth can quite literally become a source of life and healing.

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Planet 🌍

At Ecomoxo, we believe that caring for your teeth should also care for the planet. Every small action — choosing eco-friendly floss, avoiding toxic coatings like PTFE, or brushing with sustainable materials — helps protect both your health and the environment.

Because when we protect what’s natural, we protect what’s powerful.
Your smile isn’t just a reflection of health — it’s a connection to nature itself.