30 July 2024
Can Teeth Regrow? Scientists Seem To Think So!
Imagine if we were able to regenerate lost or missing teeth naturally. How life-changing would that be for countless people who already live with conditions like hypodontia or anodontia? Yet, the question “Can teeth regrow?” has fascinated scientists for decades. We know, for example, that humans are already capable of new teeth growth, but unlike countless other animals, we can only achieve it once.
So why is this?
We clearly have the genetics to regenerate teeth but over millions of years, genes that trigger dental regrowth have become dormant after adult teeth have developed. Realistically, the only way for teeth to regenerate is for the network of dormant genes to be switched back on. Essentially, this can be done in two ways…
Firstly regeneration could occur naturally through evolution but scientists agree that this would take millions of years to achieve.
The second, and more feasible option is to find some way of switching these dormant genes back on. Now, medical researchers in Osaka, Japan think they’ve made a breakthrough…
Scientists have already identified the gene USAG-1. This is a gene that inhibits or limits tooth growth in mammals like mice and ferrets and is similarly found in humans. To counteract this, Dr Takahashi and his team have developed a neutralising antibody medicine that blocks the action of USAG-1. By blocking the inhibitor pathway, researchers have already managed to successfully grow new teeth in mice. A 2021 study documents this process.
Later, the team repeated the feat on ferrets with similar success. They chose ferrets because they have similar dental patterns to humans.
Although this has not yet been successfully repeated on humans, clinical trials are now underway and the team hope to have a drug capable of regrowing human teeth as early as 2030.
Can teeth regrow using dental stem cells?
Another possibility to regrow human teeth is through stem cells. Many studies and tests incorporating stem cells have already been carried out to treat dental issues like inflammation, periapical lesions, gum disease and pulpitis. Most treatments showed good results with no harmful effects concluding that stem cell use is, indeed, safe for patients.
Back in 2010, a team at Columbia University even managed to grow a whole tooth in just 9 weeks in an animal model using a 3D scaffold principle. A few years later in 2014, researchers at Harvard used high-powered lasers to activate stem cells and regenerate teeth growth in mice.
However, while it seems like we’re making big strides, we should note a couple of key factors…
Compatibility
When it comes to stem cell generation, host compatibility is vital. If the donor doesn’t match the host, the host’s immune system will attack the new cells. Finding an exact match donor could be problematic.
The other factor is…
Animal and human dentin are not the same
Even though dentin growth is similar in animals to humans, it isn’t an exact match, so even when researchers have physically regenerated a tooth in an animal, the process cannot be replicated in humans (yet!).
What about regrowing dental pulp?
Just recently, there have been some major breakthroughs using mobilised dental pulp stem cells (MDPSCs).
In 2018, Xuan, et al found that implanting human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) into damaged or injured teeth, regenerated significant pulp tissue including the blood vessels and nerves.
Furthermore, a 2020 study conducted by Chen, et al identified several key markers needed for regenerating dental pulp tissue, so it does seem like we’re getting there.
Can teeth regrow? – The vision
Looking at all the ground-breaking studies that are currently being undertaken, it does appear like we’re edging ever closer to being able to regrow a fully functioning adult tooth. How long that’s likely to take, or even, which method wins favour is yet to be played out.
However, imagine a stage where we can replace conventional dentures, or even substitute dental implants with fully-functioning natural teeth. If science is to be believed, that day is closer than we might think.
At Cheadle Hulme Dental, we strive to remain at the forefront of dental technology in the UK and while we can’t yet regrow teeth, we can provide you with the latest dental implants and implant-supported dentures. These cutting-edge appliances provide a near-perfect bite function combined with flawless aesthetics to enhance your existing smile.
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