Teething medicine is coming soon

Japan Scientists are working on a drug that stimulates the growth of new teeth, with plans to bring it to market around 2030.

The study, funded by Kyoto University, is expected to begin clinical trials in healthy volunteers in July 2024. The goal is to confirm the drug's safety.

According to experts, everyone has a "tooth bud" under the gums that has the potential to grow into a new tooth in addition to baby and permanent teeth. However, the tooth bud usually does not develop and disappears over time.

The team created an antibody drug that blocks the action of a protein that prevents tooth growth. The drug acts on tooth buds, stimulating their growth.

In 2018, the team also used the drug on ferrets, which have both baby and permanent teeth, just like humans. As a result, the ferrets grew new teeth.

Newly grown teeth of experimental ferrets after using teething stimulant. Photo: Kyodo — Newly grown teeth of experimental ferrets after using teething stimulant. Photo: *Kyodo*

The team plans to conduct a clinical trial of the drug in 2025 for children aged 2-6 with congenital adontia. These patients are often missing some or all of their permanent teeth. Volunteers will be given a dose of the drug to stimulate tooth growth.

Many scientists hope that the drug can be used for adults who have lost teeth due to tooth decay. "Tooth loss in children can affect the development of the jaw bone. We hope that this drug can play an important role in solving these problems," said Katsu Takahashi, co-founder of Toregem Biopharma and head of the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Kitano Hospital in Osaka.

The pathological consequences of tooth loss are reduced chewing function, misaligned teeth and malocclusion, alveolar bone loss, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, incorrect pronunciation, affecting aesthetics and communication.

Thuc Linh (According to Kyodo )

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