Imagine a future where losing a tooth no longer means getting dentures or implants—just the satisfaction of watching a new one grow naturally. That future may be closer than we think. Japanese scientists are pioneering an experimental drug designed to help humans regrow missing teeth, a development that could transform dental care.
The Breakthrough
Led by Katsu Takahashi at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka––in collaboration with Kyoto University––the research is rooted in years of investigations into how tooth development works. They discovered a protein called USAG‑1 that acts like a brake on tooth growth.
In animal studies (mice and ferrets), blocking USAG-1 allowed dormant tooth buds to activate and grow new, functional teeth. Encouraged by these results, the team has progressed into early human trials.
How It Works
Normally, humans grow just two sets of teeth: baby (primary) and adult (permanent). This is called being diphyodont. However, the researchers believe that humans may retain dormant tooth buds capable of forming a third set. These buds are suppressed by USAG-1. By inhibiting that protein, the pathway for new teeth may open up.
The drug (sometimes referred to as TRG‑035 in media) is being administered intravenously in the early trials to test safety and dosage in adults missing at least one tooth.
Why This Matters
Natural vs artificial: Today, missing teeth are usually replaced with implants, bridges or dentures—technologies that are effective but come with surgery, cost, maintenance and limitations. A biological replacement would offer a far more natural solution.
Global impact: Tooth loss affects millions worldwide—whether from decay, injury, ageing or congenital conditions. Offering a method to regrow teeth could alleviate both medical and cosmetic burdens.
Future of dentistry: This development could shift how dentists approach missing teeth—not just replacing them, but regenerating them.
What’s the Timeline?
While promising, the technology is still in its early stages. The current human trial involves adult participants and is focused on safety rather than full tooth regrowth.
The researchers target broader use by around 2030—possibly including children with congenital tooth agenesis (born without one or more permanent teeth).
Cautions & Challenges Ahead
Proof in humans: What works in mice and ferrets doesn’t always translate directly to humans. Functional, well-shaped and correctly positioned teeth are the next hurdle.
Complex biology: Tooth development involves many signals (BMP, Wnt, etc.). The research is careful to target USAG-1 so as not to trigger unintended effects elsewhere.
Cost & access: Even if successful, a new regenerative treatment may initially be costly and limited to special cases before wider availability.
Ethical and practical issues: Age of treatment, long-term effects, shape of regrown teeth, and whether adults with missing bone or gum support can benefit are open questions.
What This Means for You
If everything works out, in the not-too-distant future you might visit your dentist and be offered a treatment to grow a new tooth rather than fitting an implant. But for now, implants and dentures remain the standard, and this new therapy is still under study.
For someone in Pakistan (or elsewhere) with one or more missing teeth, this means keeping an eye on the research while continuing to talk with your dentist about current options. In the long term, this could mean fewer surgical interventions and more natural restoration of teeth.
Bottom Line
The idea of regrowing human teeth has long been a dream. The Japanese team’s work is giving that dream concrete shape—by identifying a target, testing it in animals, and moving into human trials. Whether this marks the end of dental implants remains to be seen, but the possibility of a paradigm shift in dental care is real.
Sources:
“Researchers in Japan Discover Medicine Capable of Regrowing Third Set of Teeth for Humans” – Dentistry Today.
“Japanese Researchers Begin Human Trials for Tooth Regrowth Drug” – Conciergedentalgroup.com
“Humans May Be Able to Grow New Teeth Within Just 5 Years” – Popular Mechanics.
“Japanese researchers test pioneering drug to regrow teeth” – MedicalXpress.
“The science behind regrowing missing teeth” – TheWeek.com.