Yes! Excitingly, scientists are getting closer to a world where humans could naturally regrow lost teeth. Here’s the lowdown:
🦷 What’s happening
- Researchers in Japan have developed a drug (often called TRG‑035) that can stimulate new tooth growth in animals.
- The drug works by blocking a protein (USAG‑1) that normally stops teeth from forming, effectively “unlocking” the body’s dormant ability to grow teeth.
- Positive results in mice and ferrets led to the first human clinical trials, which began around 2024–2025.
🔬 How it could work for humans
- Humans still carry a kind of latent “third set” of teeth potential.
- The treatment would aim to grow living teeth that integrate naturally with bone and nerves, unlike implants or dentures.
- Lab research is also identifying the stem cells and signals needed to form tooth roots and jawbone — critical for fully functional teeth.
⏳ Timeline
- Early human trials are ongoing.
- Experts predict widespread availability could be around 2030, if trials continue successfully and regulators approve it.