Could Patients Grow a Third Set of Teeth by 2030?
Japanese researchers are testing a groundbreaking medication that may unlock humans’ hidden ability to regrow teeth.
Imagine a future where tooth loss is treated not only with dentures or implants, but with the growth of entirely new teeth. That possibility is closer than ever due to a clinical trial now underway in Japan.
Scientists are studying a medication that targets the USAG-1 protein, which normally limits tooth development. By blocking this protein, researchers successfully stimulated mice to grow new teeth. Early findings suggest humans may have a similar untapped potential, thanks to dormant “third set” tooth buds already embedded in the jaw.
This line of investigation holds special promise for individuals with anodontia, a genetic condition that prevents the growth of a complete dentition. It may also change how oral health professionals approach tooth loss across the general population. If successful, the treatment could become a third option alongside prosthetics and implants.
While much work remains before the therapy is widely available, researchers hope to bring tooth-regrowth medicine to market by 2030. This raises exciting possibilities for preventive and restorative practice in the decades ahead.
