Losing our teeth is natural back when we were children, but there are also times when we lose a tooth or have it removed as an adult for one reason or the other. Elderly people are prone to dentures due to periodontal disease which often lead to tooth loss.
Whatever the reason may be for loosing permanent teeth, that would not seem to be a cause for concern especially when a new drug that regrows a tooth is now ready for testing.
The drug was produced by a team of Japanese researchers, led by Katsu Takahashi, head of dentistry and oral surgery at Kitano Hospital. How the drug works is that it renders the uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1) protein ineffective which suppresses tooth growth. Preventing USAG-1 from mingling with other proteins allows bone growth, which means the literal regrowing of a tooth.
Takahashi has been working on this research since 2005, working on years of related research to finally come up with the actual drug for testing.
Human trials will commence in September, while the drug has already been found to be successful when used on ferrets and mice with no significant side effects. Again, we are taking into consideration the appeal that “humans are not animal test subjects,” but the team is confident it will work smoothly on humans as it did the rodents. They backed this claim by explaining that there is 97% similarity in how USAG-1 protein functions across humans and other species.
The upcoming clinical trials will see adult participants who are missing at least one molar, but there is already a plan for a secondary trial targeting children under the age range of two to seven. When it comes to the children, the requirement is at least a set of four missing teeth due to congenital teeth deficiency.
Finally, there will be trial conducted also for older adults who are missing one to five permanent teeth due to environmental factors.
Takahashi and his fellow researchers are already looking forward to the said trial with confidence and enthusiasm, optimistically claiming that the product should be ready for public daily use come the year 2030.
If this really does become a success and is perfected by 2030, it’s interesting that regrowing of teeth can also be possible with humans with the aid of the drug compared to some animals who naturally regrow their teeth.
Let’s keep in mind, though, that the approval of the drug and the possibility of it becoming available to the public one day is not an excuse to not care for our teeth and to eat sweets as much as we can.