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HEALTH

No more implants: Japanese scientists have made a medical breakthrough that lets you regrow your lost teeth naturally

Japanese scientists have identified the protein that is responsible for stopping teeth from regenerating.

Japanese scientists have identified the protein that is responsible for stopping teeth from regenerating.

There are many reasons why it’s important to look after your teeth and gums - failing to do so can lead to health problems later in life and the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

But the older we get, the more chance there is that we might lose a tooth - whether from an accident, caries, periodontitis or just general wear and tear. And once we lose a tooth as an adult, it’s gone forever - teeth are ectodermal organs - they don’t grow back.

How many teeth do adult humans have?

We develop our adult teeth in childhood between the ages of six to eight after our milk teeth fall out. Most people will have a full set of 28 adult teeth between the ages of 12 and 14. Some will also develop four wisdom teeth - molars which appear at the back of the mouth, one on each side top and bottom.

For those who have lost one tooth or several teeth, implants have been a popular solution over the past few years. Dental implant technology has advanced to such a degree that replacing a lost tooth is now an relatively affordable and painless procedure.

A titanium screw which acts as an artificial root is inserted into the bone with a ceramic crown or a bridge screwed onto it.

A new drug that promotes tooth regeneration

Scientists have now discovered a way for teeth to regenerate - something that was previously thought to be impossible. A team of Japanese researchers from Kitano Hospital and Kyoto University have identified the protein that is responsible for stopping teeth from growing back.

The team has developed a drug that deactivates a gene known as USAG-1 which inhibits teeth development in adults. Clinical trials were successfully conducted on mice and last year, the drug was used for the first time on humans.

By suppressing USAG-1, researchers were able to restore tooth formation in deficient mandibles. The intravenous drug is aimed primarily at children with congenital tooth agenesis. However, based on previous findings, it can also be used to treat tooth loss in adults due to certain conditions.

The Japanese research team predict that the treatment will be widely available for everyday consumers by 2030.

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