Grow-Your-Own to Replace False Teeth, How Soon?

The traditional image of dentures resting in a glass of water beside the bed may soon become a relic of the past, thanks to groundbreaking advancements in regenerative dentistry. Scientists are optimistic that individuals will soon be able to replace lost teeth by growing new ones, utilizing a novel method that involves implanting a small ball of cells capable of developing into a new tooth.

The Revolutionary Procedure

Instead of relying on false teeth, the new approach involves implanting a tooth bud—an aggregation of cells—into the space where a tooth is missing. This procedure requires only a local anesthetic and promises that the new tooth will be fully formed within a few months. Professor Paul Sharpe, a leading expert in regenerative dentistry at King’s College London, highlights significant advantages over traditional dental implants, which often necessitate invasive surgery and the insertion of metal posts into the jawbone. “The surgery today can be extensive and you need to have good solid bone in the jaw, which can be a major problem for some people,” he explains.

The innovative method has the potential to benefit a broader range of patients since the implanted cell mass not only develops into a tooth but also generates bone that securely integrates with the jaw. This option is likely to resonate with patients; as Professor Sharpe notes, “Anyone who has lost teeth will tell you that, given the chance, they would rather have their own teeth than false ones.” Statistics indicate that the average Briton over 50 has lost 12 teeth from their original set of 32.

How It Works

The procedure itself is relatively straightforward. Doctors extract stem cells from the patient’s body, which possess unique capabilities to differentiate into various types of tissues. In a laboratory setting, these stem cells are carefully nurtured to encourage them to grow into a tooth structure. After about two weeks, the resulting tooth bud is ready for implantation. The type of tooth—whether it be a molar or an incisor—is determined during this nurturing phase.

Using local anesthesia, the tooth bud is inserted through a small incision in the gum. Within months, it matures into a fully formed tooth that fuses with the jawbone. As it develops, the new tooth releases chemicals that promote connections with nerves and blood vessels.

Initial tests conducted on mice demonstrated promising results, with new teeth forming within weeks. Professor Sharpe asserts, “There’s no reason why it shouldn’t work in humans; the principles are the same.” His team has established Odontis, a company aimed at commercializing this technique, and has secured £400,000 in funding from notable organizations such as the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts and the Wellcome Trust.

Progress Over Time

Despite these promising developments reported in 2004, progress has been gradual. By 2009, it was estimated that widespread availability of this technology might still be several years away. Professor Sharpe had initially predicted clinical trials could begin by 2007; however, as of March 2009, Odontis indicated that while many people expressed interest in participating in clinical trials for their BioTooth™ technology, it was still under development and not yet ready for human testing.

Research continued to evolve over subsequent years. By 2006, studies indicated that adult stem cells derived from bone marrow could effectively replace embryonic mesenchyme during tooth formation. Other investigations suggested that progenitor stem cells within existing teeth might also contribute to generating dental tissues.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Fast forward to recent advancements: as of September 2023, researchers are making strides toward developing drugs that could enable tooth regrowth. A Japanese research team led by Dr. Katsu Takahashi is preparing for clinical trials set to begin in July 2024. Their work focuses on stimulating growth through targeted molecular therapy aimed at congenital tooth agenesis—an absence of teeth due to genetic factors.

The implications of such research are profound; if successful, these methods could provide revolutionary alternatives for individuals who have lost teeth due to decay or other dental diseases. As Dr. Takahashi notes, “The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” and he remains confident about achieving this goal.

Upcoming Clinical Trials

A groundbreaking drug designed to regrow teeth is set to enter human trials in September 2024. Developed by a team at Kitano Hospital in Japan, led by molecular biologist Katsu Takahashi, this drug targets a protein known as USAG-1 that inhibits tooth growth. By blocking this protein, the drug promotes the signaling of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), which are crucial for the generation of new bone and teeth. Initial trials will involve 30 male participants aged 30-64 who are missing at least one molar, running until August 2025[11].

Potential Impact and Future Availability

If these trials prove successful, researchers anticipate that the tooth-regrowing drug could be available for broader public use by 2030. The initial focus will be on patients with congenital tooth deficiencies, such as anodontia, before expanding to those who have lost teeth due to other factors like decay or injury[11][13]. This development could transform dental care by providing a permanent solution to tooth loss, a significant improvement over current methods such as dental implants.

In summary, while significant challenges remain before regenerative dental therapies become commonplace, ongoing research continues to illuminate pathways toward potentially transformative solutions for tooth loss. The dream of regrowing natural teeth may soon transition from scientific aspiration to clinical reality. How soon? AI is telling me by 2030. Let’s hope that is true!

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^{[1] https://www.signalsblog.ca/worlds-first-tooth-regrowth-medicine-a-promising-leap-forward-in-regenerative-dentistry/
[2] https://www.dentaid.com/en/dentaidExpertise/2246/dental-regeneration-using-stem-cells
[3] https://www.euronews.com/health/2023/08/05/a-drug-that-makes-teeth-regrow-scientists-move-closer-to-clinical-trials
[4] https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/paul-sharpe
[5] https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230609/p2a/00m/0sc/026000c
[6] https://www.google.de/policies/faq
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9907435/
[8] https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Paul-T-Sharpe-38336016
[9] https://dentistry.co.uk/2024/11/25/tooth-regrowth-in-adults-what-we-know-so-far/
[10] https://www.ismile.com/blog/stem-cell-dental-implants
[11] https://dentalreach.today/worlds-first-tooth-regenerating-drug-to-enter-testing-in-japan/
[12] https://levitasclinic.com/bio-regenerative-dentistry/
[13] https://dentistry.co.uk/2024/11/25/tooth-regrowth-in-adults-what-we-know-so-far/
[14] https://www.mypatent.com/event/regedent-symposium-2024-654/register
[15] https://regedent.com/symposium-2024/
[16] https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/restorative-dentistry/overview-of-restorative-dentistry/restorative-dentistry-recruitment-timeline
[17] https://magnusconferences.com/dental/program/scientific-program/2024/role-of-stem-cell-and-regenerative-medicine-in-whole-tooth-regeneration-and-other-aspects-of-dentistry}