A Revolutionary Leap in Dentistry: The World’s First Drug to Regrow Teeth
In a groundbreaking development, the world’s first drug capable of regrowing teeth has entered clinical trials1. This revolutionary drug was discovered by a dental scientist named Takahashi based in Japan. The pharmaceutical firm Toregem Biopharma, funded by Kyoto University where Takahashi is based, is spearheading the clinical trials in healthy human adults.
Austin Vanderzyden
The Discovery
The journey began when Takahashi discovered that a drug could regrow adult teeth in mice. This discovery was made years ago and has since been the subject of extensive research and development. The drug targets a protein that suppresses the growth of new teeth from our "teeth buds".
The Trials
The clinical trials are slated to begin in July of next year. These trials will investigate whether Takahashi’s antibody-based drug is successful in adults. If successful, the next trial will include children with anodontia, a condition where they are born without some of their teeth.
The Impact
Anodontia is a congenital condition present in about 1% of the population that impedes the development of teeth. About 10% of those patients have oligodontia, in which they lack 6 or more natural teeth. This drug could potentially be a game-changer for these individuals.
In 2018, Takahashi showed that ferrets, who like humans have tooth buds, baby teeth, and permanent teeth, were able to regrow their teeth when given the drug. “The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream. I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen,” Mr. Takahashi said.
The Future
If the trials are successful, therapeutic drugs could be available by 2030. This would mark a significant milestone in dentistry and could potentially eliminate the need for artificial replacements like dentures and implants. It’s indeed an exciting time for dental science!
