Your smile really changes your face, and your teeth really change your smile. A quick flash of sparkly, straight, pearly whites can really make someone’s day – or knock them off their feet. Unfortunately, many adults face problems with losing teeth for a variety of reasons. But now, there’s good news! Scientists in Japan have developed a revolutionary treatment that makes teeth grow back, potentially transforming restorative dentistry as we know it.
Scientists Develop A Treatment That Makes Teeth Grow Back
Scientists at Kyoto University and the University Fukui in Japan have made an exciting breakthrough in dental science. They have developed a treatment that has successfully regrown teeth in various animals and are now working towards conducting trials in humans. The treatment utilizes an antibody for the uterine sensitization associated gene-1 (USAG-1), which has shown promising results in stimulating tooth growth in mice suffering from tooth agenesis – a rare condition where teeth are missing from birth, affecting about 1% of the population.
How They Learned To Regrow Teeth
To understand how teeth could be regrown, the scientists studied the factors that contribute to having more than the typical number of 32 teeth. Through their research, they identified the molecules responsible for tooth development. One of these molecules is BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) which, along with the Wnt signaling pathway, controls the growth and development of many organs and tissues in the body. These molecules play a crucial role in the early stages of pregnancy, even before the baby is the size of a raisin.
Teeth Growing Back: Trial and Error
Like any scientific breakthrough, the researchers faced challenges and had to go through a process of trial and error. While drugs that affect BMP and Wnt have been effective in regrowing teeth, they can also affect other parts of the body. To overcome this, the scientists focused on targeting specific factors that act on BMP and Wnt, leading them to discover the potential of USAG-1. After several experiments, they successfully developed an antibody that specifically interrupted the interaction between USAG-1 and BMP, allowing teeth to regrow without negatively impacting the growth of other body parts.
From Mice to Ferrets: A Promising Journey
The researchers first tested their drug on mice and found that just one administration was enough for a whole tooth to regrow. Encouraged by this success, they repeated the experiment in ferrets, whose teeth closely resemble human teeth. The results were positive, demonstrating the potential of this treatment for humans. However, before human trials can begin, further testing will be conducted on dogs and pigs.
While there is still some time before this groundbreaking treatment is available for people, it brings hope to those in need of dental restoration. In the meantime, it’s essential to take good care of your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. And don’t forget to floss!
This article was originally published on The Premier Daily
Sources
- “Anti-USAG-1 therapy for tooth regeneration through enhanced BMP signaling.” Sciences Mag. A. Murashima-Suginami, et al. February 12, 2021.
- “New drug to regenerate lost teeth.” Medical Express. Kyoto University. March 29, 2021.
- “Tooth Agenesis.” Rare Diseases.
- “Wnt signal transduction pathways.” NCBI. Yuko Komiya. June 2008.
