Japanese scientists may have taken a groundbreaking step in dental care. According to Daily News, researchers have developed an experimental drug that could enable humans to grow new natural teeth.
The discovery builds on studies of a gene called USAG-1, which acts as a natural “brake,” preventing new teeth from forming after permanent teeth develop.
Teams from Osaka Kitano Hospital and Kyoto University created a drug that temporarily suppresses this gene, signaling the body to use existing tooth buds to generate new teeth.
“The goal is to help those suffering from missing or lost teeth. While a permanent cure doesn’t exist yet, people’s hopes for tooth regeneration are high,” said lead researcher Dr. Katsu Takahashi.
The first phase of clinical trials, lasting 11 months, involves 30 men aged 30 to 64, each missing at least one tooth. The drug is administered intravenously, and prior animal studies showed no adverse effects.
If successful, the next phase will test the drug on children aged 2 to 7 with congenital tooth loss.
Researchers aim to make the drug widely available by 2030. Initially intended for congenital conditions, Dr. Takahashi hopes it will eventually help anyone who loses teeth due to injury or disease, potentially rendering implants and dentures obsolete.