Americans are poised to spend up to $230 billion by 2030 on dental care, and our dentists tend to be on the leading edge of new technology and companies selling dental hygiene products continue to offer an array of tooth- and gum-saving products.
Now, thanks to Japanese innovators, there may soon be a experimental treatment that will allow people to regrow their teeth.
Researchers in Japan are currently working on a medication that would allow people to grow a new set of teeth, with a clinical trial slated for July 2024, the country’s national daily news site, the Mainichi, recently reported.“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” Dr. Katsu Takahashi, a lead researcher and head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, told the outlet.“I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student,” he continued. “I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.”
The innovative treatment targets the protein that suppresses the regeneration of teeth. Early tests have already been completed, showing tooth regeneration in mice and ferret.
“There are decades’ worth of studies related to various ways of growing human tooth tissue,” Dr. Erinne Kennedy, American Dental Association spokesperson and director of pre-doctoral dental education at Kansas City University’s College of Dental Medicine in Missouri, told Fox News Digital.Takahashi learned that the number of teeth varied only with only one gene mutation — so he decided to do further research by targeting specific genes that could potentially grow teeth.Armed with new inspiration, he returned to Kyoto University around 2005 to work with researchers who discovered a gene that made a protein called USAG-1, which limits the number of teeth that can grow.This seemed to mean that “blocking” this protein could grow more teeth — so his research team developed an antibody that latched onto the protein to block its function.
Participants in the 2024 clinical trial will be selected for having a condition in which teeth are missing due to a genetic condition.
Speaking about the human trial, Dr Takahashi told the Mainichi newspaper: ‘The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream.’I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student.He added: ‘I was confident I’d be able to make it happen. We hope to pave the way for the medicine’s clinical use.’If successful, the medicine could be available for regulatory approval by 2030, according to the report.Anodontia is a genetic condition in which teeth are missing.Research has suggested it is more common in women than men but it is unclear exactly how many people globally are affected.
While this experimental treatment is interesting, and hopefully successful, there have been many other interesting innovations in dentistry in recent years. These new technologies also include the use of artificial intelligence.
In 2023, AI is being used to help dentists make more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. For example, AI algorithms can be used to identify early signs of dental decay or gum disease, allowing dentists to intervene before the condition worsens. AI can also help dentists to identify the best treatment options for each patient based on their unique needs and characteristics.Another application of AI in dentistry is in the development of virtual treatment plans. Using AI algorithms, dentists can create virtual simulations of a patient’s mouth, allowing them to visualize how different treatments will affect the patient’s smile. This can help patients to make informed decisions about their dental treatment and can also help dentists to plan treatments more accurately.
With all these wonderful new treatment options, I certainly hope that there will be something to smile about in 2024!
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