Can medicine grow teeth?

Restoring smiles - 31st July 2023

A medical research team in Japan has made significant strides in developing a groundbreaking drug capable of regrowing teeth. Slated to enter human trials in 2024, the transformative drug is intended to aid children with congenitally arrested tooth development.

Lead researcher Katsu Takahashi and his team embarked on their pioneering journey by investigating the protein USAG-1, known to inhibit tooth growth. Takahashi's hypothesis suggested that by obstructing USAG-1, the body could be stimulated to generate new teeth, an idea that has long captured the imagination of the dental profession.

Takahashi reflected that "The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist's dream," and added he was confident he could "make it happen."

Beyond merely gifting patients a pearly white smile, Takahashi's mission is deeply rooted in assisting children afflicted by tooth agenesis, where congenital anomalies prevent tooth development. Such conditions restrict essential functions such as chewing, swallowing and speaking, significantly impacting these children's development. Introducing a means for them to generate a set of teeth holds the potential to dramatically improve these children's lives.

If human trials prove successful, Takahashi's dental antibody will initially focus on aiding 2 to 6 year old patients with anodontia: the body's failure to produce teeth. Prior to human trials, the team conducted testing on mice and ferrets with anodontia, administering a USAG-1 blocking antibody which successfully stimulated tooth growth.

Typically, humans grow two sets of teeth, with the initial deciduous set being shed between ages 6 to 13 as each of the permanent set come through. Takahashi contends that humans once had the capacity to grow a third generation of teeth, with the buds of this potential third set still present within the human body. Previous studies have documented cases of patients with a condition called hyperdontia manifesting a third dentition.

Currently, tooth agenesis in individuals, whether arising from genetic anomalies or tooth decay due to cavities, have two primary options: dentures or implants. Takahashi's groundbreaking research promises the exciting prospect of a third, less invasive alternative. This innovation holds the future potential to revolutionise dental care, restoring smiles to countless lives.