Development of a drug that helps teeth grow back many times

Scientists at Kitano Hospital Medical Research Institute in Osaka, Japan are developing a new drug capable of triggering the mechanism that causes teeth to regrow.

It is expected that in early July next year, this drug will be in clinical trials and could be ready for use by dentists by 2030.

The aim of this project is to provide a drug to treat patients who are missing their permanent teeth due to congenital, genetic or developmental factors that occur during fetal life. The loss of natural teeth interferes with a child's chewing, swallowing and speaking and can negatively impact a child's development. The most common treatment methods today are dental implants and dentures.

The team developed a neutralizing antibody drug that blocks the action of a gene called USAG-1, which has been found to inhibit tooth growth in humans and mice. In this way, the team successfully stimulated the development of "third generation" teeth - after baby teeth and permanent teeth - in mice and dragonflies.

These results will be published in the scientific journal Nature in 2021 and caught the attention of the global scientific community.

According to observers, the regenerative medicine will be a revolution, helping to provide people who have lost teeth due to tooth decay or serious dental disease with new sets of teeth.

The drug is being finalized to be used in the treatment of children aged 2 to 6 years with signs of congenital tooth loss anodontia.

The team hopes that, in addition to dentures and implants, tooth regrowth will become a viable third option that gives patients the opportunity to regain their natural teeth.

Marvin Fry

Update 24 July 2023