07/03/2025
Japanese scientists, led by Dr. Katsu Takahashi, are working on a new treatment to help people regrow teeth. They are preparing for the first human tests at Kyoto University Hospital. The treatment blocks a protein called USAG-1, which stops extra teeth from growing. Studies show that humans have the potential for a third set of teeth, but they usually don’t develop. Around 1% of people naturally grow extra teeth, which researchers think is linked to this ability.
In tests on animals like mice, ferrets, and dogs, the medicine helped new teeth grow without major problems. The first stage of human testing is checking if the medicine is safe for adults missing a tooth. The next stage, planned for 2025, will focus on young children born without some teeth. If successful, this treatment could provide a new option besides dentures and implants, possibly becoming available by 2030.
