Japan Moves Forward with World’s First ‘Tooth Regrowth’ Drug Clinical Trials
A Japanese research team is making significant strides in the development of a groundbreaking medication aimed at enabling people to grow new teeth. Clinical trials are scheduled to commence in July 2024, with the goal of making the tooth regrowth medicine available for general use by 2030.
This innovative medication targets individuals who lack a complete set of adult teeth due to congenital factors, particularly conditions like anodontia, which affects approximately 1% of the population. Anodontia can lead to serious challenges in everyday activities such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking, causing developmental issues.
Lead researcher Katsu Takahashi, who heads the dentistry and oral surgery department at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, expressed his long-standing dream of regenerating teeth. He embarked on this journey during his graduate studies in molecular biology in 1991, and later pursued research in the United States.
The breakthrough moment came around 2005 when Takahashi’s team identified a gene, USAG-1, responsible for limiting tooth growth. By developing a neutralizing antibody medicine to block the action of this protein, they successfully induced tooth regeneration in mice during experiments in 2018. These findings garnered global attention and marked the early stages of what could become the world’s first tooth regeneration medicine.
Efforts are now focused on preparing the drug for human use, primarily targeting children aged 2 to 6 who suffer from anodontia. The ultimate goal is to ensure the medication’s safety and efficacy, clearing the path for its clinical application.
If successful, this tooth regeneration drug could revolutionize the field of dentistry. While it’s widely believed that humans only grow two sets of teeth in their lifetime, evidence suggests the potential for a third set, currently latent. This medicine has shown promise in inducing the growth of these “third-generation” teeth.
Furthermore, this research holds implications for individuals with severe dental issues like cavities or pyorrhea, where tooth preservation becomes impossible, leading to the need for dentures or implants. Tooth-regrowth medicine could offer an alternative solution in the future, providing hope for a new era in dental care alongside traditional methods.
SOURCE: The Mainichi
Category: Technology & Devices
