Japanese researchers may have found the solution to the nightmare of toothless smiles, testing a drug that could allow incisors and other molars to regrow. No more dentures on the bedside table or hefty bills for dental implants? Japanese dentists believe in it and are testing a new drug which, they hope, will become an alternative to dentures and implants.
Unlike the reptilesreptiles and to PiscesPisces whose fangs are replaced regularly, humans, like most other mammalsmammalsonly grow two sets of teeth, milk teeth and the poorly named “permanent” teeth. But hidden beneath our gums are the budsbuds third-generation dormants, according to Katsu Takahashi, head of the oral surgery department at the Kitano Hospital Medical Research Institute in Osaka.
In October, Takahashi and his team launched human clinical trials of an experimental drug with the potential to jumpstart the growth of these hidden teeth. This technology “ completely new » is designed to neutralize a proteinprotein called USAG-1, which inhibits the growth of the third set of teeth, explains the researcher to AFP. Current prosthetic treatments used for teeth lost due to decay, disease or injury are often considered expensive and invasiveinvasive.
Exciting work “that opens the way”
« Growing back natural teeth definitely has benefits “, says Takahashi. In a study published last year, the team stated, with supporting photos, that its “ treatment by antibodyantibody in mice is effective for tooth regeneration and may constitute an advance in the treatment of anomaliesanomalies dental in humans ».
For now, dentists are prioritizing “urgent” cases of patients with six or more teeth missing at birth. This hereditary disease (oligodontia, Editor’s noteEditor’s note) is thought to affect approximately 0.1% of people, who may have severe difficulty chewing and, in Japan, often spend most of their adolescenceadolescence to wear a face mask to hide the large holes in their mouths, Mr. Takahashi says. “ This drug could be a game changer for them », he hopes.
Intended primarily for children
The drug would therefore be intended primarily for children, and the researchers want to make it available from 2030. Angray Kang, professor of dentistrydentistry at Queen Mary University of London, knows of only one other team pursuing a similar goal. “ But I would say that the Takahashi group is leading the way “, this immunotechnology expert told AFP. Takahashi’s work is ” exciting and worth pursuing “, in part because an antibody drug that targets a protein almost identical to USAG-1 is already used to treatosteoporosisosteoporosis. « The race to regenerate human teeth is not a sprint, but a series of ultra-marathons. And this is just the beginning “, he declares.
“Takahashi’s work is fascinating and worth continuing”
According to Chengfei Zhang, a clinical professor of endodontics at a university in Hong Kong, the Takahashi method is “ innovative and has potential ». « The claim that humans have tooth buds latentlatent capable of producing a third set of teeth is both revolutionary and controversial », he explains to AFP. This bud can be explained by the fact that the residues of the human dental blade sometimes lead to a surplus of teeth according to him.
Technology to prolong healthy lives
The results of past animal experiments raise “ questions about the ability of regenerated teeth to functionally and aesthetically replace missing teeth », he continues.
In response, Takahashi argues that if a new tooth grows incorrectly, it can be replaced through orthodontics or transplantation. Currently, participants in these clinical trials are adults, who are missing only one tooth and tooth regeneration is not the primary objective of this trial. According to Takahashi, there is a small chance of this happening to the test subjects but the researcher “ would be specifiedspecified if this happened ».
The drug’s arrival on the market would be particularly welcome in Japan, which has the second oldest population in the world. Health Ministry data shows that more than 90% of Japanese aged 75 or older have at least one missing tooth. “ We strongly hope that our technology can directly extend their life expectancylife expectancy healthy », hopes Mr. Takahashi.
