(NewsNation) — Bad news for the tooth fairy: humans may be one step closer to regrowing their teeth with the help of a new drug from Japanese researchers.
The intravenous treatment suppresses uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1) protein, the antibody which prevents tooth regrowth.
Scientists at Kyoto University Hospital will conduct the first human trial of the drug from September 2024 to August 2025.
In tests on ferrets and mice, the drug worked with no notable side effects, Popular Mechanics reported.
The drug will be used on 30 men between 30-64 who are missing at least one molar. From there, researchers will expand the study to those with partial edentulism, or those missing one to five permanent teeth.
The study could expand to those between the ages of 2 and 7 who are missing at least four teeth, Popular Mechanics noted.
“We want to do something to help those who are suffering from tooth loss or absence,” said lead researcher Katsu Takahashi, head of dentistry and oral surgery at Kitano Hospital told NewAtlas. “While there has been no treatment to date providing a permanent cure, we feel that people’s expectations for tooth growth are high.”
If the trial is effective, the medicine could be commercially available as soon as 2030.