“A groundbreaking invention offers hope for tooth regrowth, with a miracle drug in development”
- A groundbreaking invention by a Japanese research team offers hope for tooth regrowth, with a miracle drug in development. Clinical trials are set to begin in July 2024, and if successful, the drug could be available by 2030.
- This development is particularly significant for individuals with tooth agenesis, a genetic condition causing the absence of some teeth, affecting up to 10% of the US population.
- Dental agenesis has different forms, including anodontia, hypodontia, and oligodontia, with varying degrees of tooth absence. The current treatment involves dentures and dental implants.
- Lead researcher Katsu Takahashi and his team identified that a protein called USAG-1 restricts tooth growth, and by blocking its function using a neutralizing antibody medicine, they were able to stimulate tooth growth in mice.
- The researchers hope the drug will become an additional treatment option for those without a full set of teeth, potentially even for children with congenital tooth issues.
