Throughout their lives, humans are equipped with two rows of teeth. As soon as baby teeth are shed, adult teeth start coming in. After that, the generation of new teeth stops.
Now, however, a new drug being tested by scientists in Japan promises to reverse that process and allow the patients to grow a second row of new teeth.
Should this treatment prove effective, this will completely revolutionize the dentistry field for millions of people whose teeth have fallen out.
The treatment involves the drug known as TRG-035 and is currently being developed in Kyoto University Hospital by a company based in Japan called Toregem BioPharma. This drug interferes with the production of a particular protein which stops the creation of new teeth once adult teeth become fully grown.
According to scientists, human bodies contain dormant buds from which new teeth can grow; however, they do not develop due to biological mechanisms which constantly keep them inhibited.
It is based on several years of genetic research.
Scientists originally discovered the mechanism when researching genetically engineered mice. They found that when a particular gene was disabled, the mice developed additional teeth, indicating that there is an inherent process in the body to prevent further development.
This discovery was confirmed by further experiments on mice and ferrets. Scientists managed to create additional functional teeth in animals after a single administration of the antibody.
This clinical trial marks the beginning of the testing of the concept on humans.
The Race to Develop Human Tooth Regrowth Therapy
Phase I of the trial started in late 2024. Safety, rather than development, was considered its main goal. Thirty men in the age range of adulthood participated in the study and had one or more missing teeth. The first 11 months of observations have already passed, although the results have not been disclosed yet.
They say that there is little chance that the adult volunteers will regrow their teeth within this phase. The primary aim of this phase is to observe the behavior of the drug inside the human body and detect any negative side effects.
If the results obtained show that further research is justified, then the next phase of the clinical trials will include children between the age of 2 and 7 years old who suffer from congenital tooth loss.
Congenital tooth loss occurs in one out of every thousand patients. They are missing six or more teeth. This disease can cause numerous difficulties for affected children including eating and speaking. These issues affect appearance and lead to social problems in later life.
Considering these facts, the scientists want to concentrate on emergency cases where children suffer from congenital tooth loss.
The scientific community all around the world is carefully monitoring the research.
A number of scientists have expressed cautious optimism. As was mentioned above by Dr. Angray Kang from Queen Mary University of London, this antibody technology is used to treat osteoporosis. This medical experience is very helpful when developing tooth regrowth therapy.
However, some doubts still remain.
The Future of Tooth Regrowth Technology
The first issue relates to misalignment. If the new tooth emerges in an unusual position, this could complicate the entire process. Dr. Chengfei Zhang from the University of Hong Kong brought up this point when examining the studies.
However, according to the team from Japan, this issue could be handled with ease. As mentioned above, orthodontic techniques adjust the position of teeth during regular oral health care procedures. Hence, if a newly grown tooth is found to emerge out of alignment, it may be fixed through braces and other techniques.
According to Toregem BioPharma, its treatment should be available on the market by 2030.
The firm will be offering the treatment option to children suffering from birth defects. In future, scientists hope to expand their scope to treat individuals of all ages who have lost their teeth because of aging, trauma, and various diseases.
This innovation may have profound effects.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from tooth loss, especially elderly people. For example, in Japan, according to official statistics, about 90 percent of citizens aged 75 and over have missing teeth.
Dentists currently use dentures, bridges, and dental implants in order to restore missing teeth. A pharmaceutical product that can make the body produce its own replacements would be entirely new.
The research has yet to go beyond the experimental stage. There are many uncertainties in terms of safety, efficacy, and long-term effects.
However, for individuals who lack any teeth from birth or lose their teeth as adults, the thought of regenerating new ones may soon move away from the realm of science fiction.
