Dental breakthrough: Japanese drug aims to regrow teeth by 2030

The story of a drug that enables teeth to regrow might sound like fantasy, but Japanese scientists believe it could soon become reality. Researchers from Kyoto University Hospital and the University of Fukui are working on this innovative treatment.

The drug, potentially a game-changer in the dental industry, could be available by 2030. However, one crucial element remains before the testing phase is complete: trials on humans.

Researchers discovered that an antibody for one gene—uterine sensitization associated gene-1, or USAG-1—could stimulate tooth growth in mice suffering from tooth agenesis, a congenital disease. An article on this subject was published in Science Advances.

The Japanese scientists were inspired by the dental anomalies that occasionally occur in nature. Sometimes, people are born with extra teeth or experience a sudden growth of unexpected teeth. The Japanese researchers studied the genetic causes of cases involving too many teeth.

According to Katsu Takahashi, one of the study's lead authors and a senior lecturer at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine, the fundamental molecules responsible for tooth development have been identified. Several of these molecules influence the growth of various organs and tissues during fetal development.

"Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans ... antibodies on other animals such as pigs and dogs," explains Takahashi.

The intravenous drug, which stimulates tooth regrowth, will now undergo another critical testing phase. It's possible that the first research group, consisting of 30 men aged 30 to 64 who have lost at least one molar, will start treatment later this year.

Source: science.org