A team of researchers led by Katsu Takahashi at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, Japan, has made significant progress in developing a treatment that could help people grow new teeth. The clinical trial began in July 2024 and aims to make the treatment publicly available by 2030.
Currently, about 1% of the general population suffers from anodontia, a condition where people are born without a complete set of permanent teeth. This can lead to difficulties with speech and eating from an early age. Traditional treatments often involve dentures or dental implants, but these approaches can be inconvenient for young children.
Takahashi’s team is exploring a way to block the USAG-1 protein, which plays a role in limiting tooth growth in mammals. By creating a medication that neutralizes this protein, they have encouraged animals to grow teeth beyond their normal sets. The researchers tested their medication on mice with missing teeth and observed tooth development in those mice where none had grown before.
The potential impact of this treatment is significant. It could provide an alternative to dentures and implants for individuals who struggle with speech and chewing due to missing teeth. Clinical trials in humans will aim to confirm the safety of the therapy, and if successful, it may become a common procedure in six years.
This breakthrough highlights the importance of research into genetics and regenerative medicine. Understanding how to spur new tooth growth is a major step towards combining genetics and dentistry for practical solutions. If the treatment works, it could revolutionize oral health and provide hope for individuals who have struggled with missing teeth for years.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-successfully-grow-human-teeth-in-a-laboratory-for-the-first-time/