Photo: PIOTR_MARCINSKI/Depositphotos
There’s a typical cycle with teeth in humans.
As newborns, we have none.
Currently, implants and dentures are the best options to fill these gaps.
Photo: PIOTR_MARCINSKI/Depositphotos
However, a Japanese company is researching a new solution: regrowing our own teeth.
Babies are born with tooth buds which form and emerge as teeth.
Some adults retain undeveloped tooth buds.
Photo: SANTYPAN/Depositphotos
The drug developed by the company harnesses this potential.
By preventing the gene from doing its job, the bud should then mature into teeth.
In a 2018 study, ferrets grew new teeth when given the drug.
I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student.
Such a treatment could be revolutionary for those with missing teeth, by accident or by conditions such ashypodontia.
