THE ESSENTIAL
- Japanese researchers are working on developing a drug that will help teeth grow back in adults.
- Human trials are due to take place soon after animal testing.
- Such a drug would be an alternative to crowns, bridges and dental implants.
A team of Japanese researchers is about to test a new treatment that promises to revolutionize the way we approach dental problems. By targeting the gene responsible for blocking tooth regrowth, the treatment could offer a novel solution for patients looking for alternative dental solutions.
Baby teeth permanently
Human trials are expected to begin soon, with the aim of testing the treatment in adults with missing teeth. Building on the success of early animal trials, researchers hope to usher in a new era in the treatment of dental problems: adult teeth do not naturally grow back, and if they are damaged, they must be removed and replaced with prosthetics.
Disabling the gene that blocks tooth growth could allow dental problems to be treated as if the patient had baby teeth all the time.
A revolutionary alternative to traditional dentures
The next step in clinical trials will involve children between the ages of 2 and 7 who suffer from a congenital condition that prevents their teeth from growing in. But beyond simply regrowing teeth, this treatment could revolutionize the field of dentistry by offering an alternative to dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and implants. By allowing teeth to grow back naturally, this treatment could change the way dental care is currently practiced.
Promising prospects for the future of dental health
If the results of clinical trials prove conclusive, this treatment could offer the possibility of naturally regrowing teeth. The work to develop this drug therefore represents hope for many patients facing dental problems, including tooth loss, by offering an innovative and non-invasive solution to treat them.
