Adults have 32 permanent teeth but as we age, tooth loss is something that will happen because it is inevitable. Scientists from Kyoto University and the University of Fukui will begin testing a drug that regrows decayed teeth in humans. Previously this drug was successfully tested on rats and foxes in the laboratory.
In a study that has been done since 2005, uterine sensitization associated gene-1 (USAG-1) was found to be the cause of why teeth stop growing in humans. By blocking this gene, teeth could be re-established in tested mice and foxes. Human testing will be done at Kyoto University Hospital in September 2024 to August 2025.
In the initial stage it involved 30 male individuals aged 30-64 who lost at least one molar tooth. Then in the second phase, children aged 2-7 will undergo the same test. Those selected for the second phase were those who lost at least four teeth due to congenital deficiency.
If these human trials are successful, the targeted tooth regrowth treatment will be offered commercially as early as 2030.
