Fish, especially sharks, are known for their ability to regrow teeth throughout their lives. Now, Japanese scientists are attempting to replicate this miracle in humans.
Katsu Takahashi, a researcher at Kitano Hospital in Osaka, and his team are starting clinical trials of a drug that could activate a person's third set of teeth. According to them, there are already hidden tooth cells in the mouth that can grow under the right conditions.
Studies of the USAG-1 gene in animals have shown that a protein it produces inhibits tooth growth. The use of a drug that prevents the formation of this protein has been successful in mice.
The researchers are confident that the exact mechanism can be applied to humans. This is especially important for individuals with anodontia, a condition in which a complete set of teeth fails to develop.
"The idea of growing teeth is the dream of every dentist. "We hope that in the future people will have a third option - not just dentures or implants, but also new natural teeth," Takahashi said.
If the trials are successful, the world could have a new "tooth-growing" drug by 2030.
