A Revolutionary Drug to Regrow Teeth: Could It Become a Reality?

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Imagine being able to naturally regrow a lost tooth, as if by magic. What once belonged to the realm of science fiction is now within reach, thanks to pioneering research conducted by Japanese scientists at Kyoto University. These researchers are on the verge of achieving a world first: testing a drug capable of regenerating missing teeth in humans.

An Innovative and Highly Anticipated Clinical Trial

Starting in September 2024, a phase I clinical trial will be conducted at Kyoto University Hospital. Over a one-year period, until August 2025, this groundbreaking drug will be administered to 30 men aged 30 to 64, all of whom are missing at least one molar. This intravenous treatment has already shown impressive results in animals such as mice and ferrets, without significant side effects.

Professor Katsu Takahashi, head of the dental surgery department at Kitano Hospital and lead researcher of the study, is optimistic about this breakthrough:

“We want to help those who suffer from tooth loss. While there has been no permanent treatment to date, we believe people’s expectations for tooth regrowth are high.”
— Prof. Katsu Takahashi, Kitano Hospital

If this initial phase proves successful, the next round of trials will be conducted on children aged 2 to 7 with congenital tooth agenesis, a rare condition affecting about 1% of the population where several teeth fail to develop.

A Key Protein Discovered: USAG-1

The treatment works by inhibiting a specific protein known as USAG-1 (Uterine Sensitization-Associated Gene-1), which suppresses tooth growth. In 2023, researchers found that blocking this protein activates BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Proteins), key proteins in bone signaling, which facilitate the growth of new bone and dental tissues.

In trials on mice and ferrets, species with USAG-1 proteins very similar to those in humans, new teeth were successfully grown. In fact, this protein has a 97% sequence homology between different animal species, including humans, making the results highly promising.

Towards a Dental Regeneration Revolution

Since 2005, Professor Takahashi, both a molecular biologist and dentist, has been dedicated to dental regeneration research. His goal is to eventually make this treatment accessible to anyone who has lost a tooth, regardless of age. If the clinical trials are successful, the drug could be available to patients within six years.

This breakthrough could mark the dawn of a new era in dentistry, where natural tooth regrowth replaces implants, dentures, and bridges, transforming the lives of millions of people around the world.