In the future of dental medicine there is a disruptive innovation that could change the way we smile forever: a drug that allows the regrowth of teeth. No, it's not a cartoon fantasy, but a reality in the making in Japan, where a team of researchers is preparing for clinical trials.
A dream that becomes reality
The dental growth "pill" is intended for those people who, due to congenital causes, do not have a complete set of permanent teeth. Initially, the researchers' goal is to make the drug available for general use by 2030.
“Growing new teeth is every dentist's dream. I've been working on it since I was a PhD student. I was sure I could make it happen,” he said Katsu Takahashi, head of the department of dentistry and oral surgery at the Kitano Hospital Medical Research Institute in Osaka. The research he conducted it is visible here.
The problem of missing teeth
THEanodontia it is a congenital condition that prevents the growth of a complete set of teeth, a problem that affects approximately 1% of the population. Those who grow up with anodontia face difficulties in performing even seemingly simple functions such as chewing, swallowing and speaking, with a negative impact on their development.
The breakthrough came when Takahashi's team discovered that a specific gene, if removed, allowed genetically modified mice to have a greater number of teeth. Hence, the idea of developing a drug that could block the action of a protein synthesized by this gene, called USAG-1, able to limit the growth of teeth.
Towards clinical trials
The drug, which has already demonstrated its effectiveness on mice and ferrets, is currently being prepared for use on humans. If it proves to have no harmful side effects, it will be directed to the treatment of children between 2 and 6 years old suffering from anodontia. “We hope to pave the way for clinical use of this drug,” Takahashi said.
If successful, the drug could revolutionize the entire field of dentistry.
Many animal species, such as sharks and some reptiles, are able to continually regrow teeth. Humans have always grown only two sets of teeth in their lifetime, but there's actually evidence that we also have the "buds" for a third set.
When teeth treatment is no longer possible due to severe decay or erosion of the tooth sockets, known as pyorrhea, people lose them and have to rely on dental appliances such as dentures. There regenerative medicine will be able to grow third-generation teeth, and it will change everything.
In Japan they are sure of it, and in terms of determination they are second to none.
