Lifechanging drug regrows teeth in humans

A groundbreaking breakthrough in dentistry and genetics may soon transform medical treatments in ways once thought impossible.

A team of researchers in Japan, led by Katsu Takahashi, is developing a drug that could trigger human tooth regeneration. If successful, this innovation could redefine dental care and offer new hope to millions struggling with hereditary dental conditions.

The research has captured global attention, with clinical trials already underway. Scientists aim to make the drug widely available by 2030, bringing the possibility of regrowing teeth closer to reality.

For Takahashi, this pursuit is more than a scientific endeavor—it’s a lifelong mission. As the head of dentistry and oral surgery at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, he has dedicated his career to finding a way to regrow teeth. "The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist's dream. I've been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I'd be able to make it happen," he said.

The treatment primarily targets individuals born with fewer than a full set of adult teeth due to genetic factors. This condition, known as anodontia, affects about 1% of the global population. Among them, those missing six or more teeth fall into a more severe category called oligodontia.

Tooth agenesis, which includes both anodontia and oligodontia, poses significant challenges for those affected. For people with these conditions, everyday functions like chewing, swallowing, and speaking can be a challenge.

Many struggle with development from an early age, affecting their quality of life. Traditional solutions, such as dentures or implants, offer limited relief, but a biological cure could change everything.

Takahashi, who commenced his illustrious career in the field of dentistry, later specialized in molecular biology at Kyoto University in 1991. His academic journey then led him to the United States, where his interest in genetic influences on tooth growth began to take root.

At that time, scientific research was just starting to identify specific genes whose deletion could cause genetically modified mice to grow fewer teeth. This revelation was a eureka moment for Takahashi, who quickly realized the potential for altering the number of teeth an individual has by targeting that gene.

His groundbreaking research drew global attention around 2005 when he continued his work at Kyoto University after returning from the U.S. The team discovered that mice lacking a specific gene developed an increased number of teeth, and a protein called USAG-1, synthesized by this gene, appeared to limit tooth growth.

Following this discovery, Takahashi and his team developed an antibody-based medicine that can neutralize the USAG-1 protein. They discovered in 2018 that this medicine could indeed induce the growth of new teeth in mice with a congenitally low number of teeth.

These results were published in Science Advances in 2021, grabbing the world's attention as the first steps towards tooth regeneration medicine.

As we approach the present day, work is underway to ready the drug for human trials. If the drug passes all necessary safety checks without any adverse effects, it will be aimed at treating children aged 2 to 6 who exhibit anodontia. "We hope to pave the way for the medicine's clinical use," Takahashi said.

This ground-breaking medicine could be a game-changer for the entire field of dentistry. It is widely known that certain species of animals, such as sharks and some reptiles, can continuously regrow their teeth. While it is generally accepted that humans can only grow two sets of teeth, recent research has indicated the potential presence of a third set of "buds."

Around 1% of the population experiences hyperdontia—a congenital condition that leads to a higher-than-normal number of teeth. According to Takahashi's research, one in three cases of hyperdontia results in the growth of a third set of teeth, suggesting the ability to grow a third set of teeth may have been lost over time in humans.

Through further experimentation, the research team discovered that when the medicine was applied to ferrets, an additional tooth was grown. These new teeth grew between the existing front teeth and were of similar shape, suggesting that the medicine could induce the growth of a third set of teeth.

Currently, when teeth become untreatable due to severe cavities or pyorrhea—a disease leading to erosion of dental sockets—individuals often resort to dental appliances such as dentures.

The ability to grow a third set of teeth could revolutionize this approach. "In any case, we're hoping to see a time when tooth-regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants," Takahashi said, outlining his ambitious vision for the future of dentistry.

The extraordinary work of Takahashi and his team marks an exciting new chapter in medical science, with potential ramifications extending beyond dentistry.

This innovative research promises a future where tooth loss could become a thing of the past, making tooth regrowth a reality for the countless individuals affected by congenital dental disorders.

Note: Materials provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length.

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