The tooth fairy is a welcome guest for any child who has lost a tooth. Not only will the fairy leave a small gift under the child’s pillow, but they be assured of a replacement tooth in a few months. Unfortunately, the scenario is quite different for adults grappling with a loss of teeth. Luckily, there may be some hope thanks to a new study performed by scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Fukui.
A dental breakthrough
While the typical adult mouth houses 32 teeth, approximately 1% of the population exhibits variations of them, either possessing more or fewer teeth due to congenital conditions. Researchers have delved into the genetic factors behind cases of excessive teeth, seeking valuable insights into the potential regeneration of teeth in adults. This study is the first to show that monoclonal antibodies can help regrow teeth. It suggests a new way to treat a dental problem that currently requires implants and other artificial solutions.
A bit of science
The research team disclosed that an antibody targeting a specific gene, known as uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1), can induce tooth development in mice affected by tooth agenesis, a congenital condition. The findings were published in the journal, Science Advances.
As per Katsu Takahashi, a senior lecturer at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and one of the principal contributors to the study, the essential molecules crucial for the development of teeth have already been pinpointed. “The morphogenesis of individual teeth depends on the interactions of several molecules including BMP, or bone morphogenetic protein, and Wnt signaling,” says Takahashi.
On April 13, 2021, the University of Kyoto posted its first pic of newly-grown teeth in mice.
BMP and Wnt are involved in more than just tooth development; they affect the growth of organs and tissues early in the body’s development. Because drugs affecting them directly might have broad side effects, scientists are cautious. To find a potentially safer method, researchers focused on the gene USAG-1, thinking that aiming at factors countering BMP and Wnt specifically in tooth development could be more precise.
“We knew that suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” added Takahashi.
The first results
Scientists looked at how different monoclonal antibodies affect USAG-1. Monoclonal antibodies are often used to treat things like cancer and arthritis and for making vaccines. Tests with this antibody showed that BMP signaling is crucial for deciding the number of teeth in mice. Also, just one treatment was enough to grow a whole tooth. Further tests confirmed these positive results in ferrets too.
“Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans. Our next plan is to test the antibodies on other animals, such as pigs and dogs,” explained Takahashi.
Fully regrown frontal teeth in ferrets
The next steps
Now, scientists are going to test the drug on healthy adults. If that goes well, the team plans to try it on kids aged 2 to 6 with a rare tooth problem called anodontia, a genetic disorder defined as the absence of all teeth. These kids will get one shot of the drug to see if it makes their teeth grow. If everything works out, the medicine might be approved by 2030.
Takahashi sees the new medicine as an additional choice for individuals who are missing some or all of their teeth.
“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” Takahashi told the Japanese newspaper, The Mainichi in June this year. “I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.”
So hopefully, by the year 2030, humans will get a chance to have their third generation of teeth grown and say goodbye to implants. Until then, make sure to keep your teeth strong and healthy — this article will help you with that.
Preview photo credit KyotoU_News / Twitter
I had no idea what it was used for until one person revealed it
People Wondered about the Purpose of These 6 Things & Got Unexpected Answers
The world is a captivating realm, teeming with enigmatic objects that never cease to astound individuals with their appearance and, of course, their elusive purposes.
After all, not everything can be unraveled through a simple Google search, especially when you’re not entirely sure what you’re seeking.
In our everyday lives, mysteries constantly pique our curiosity, compelling us to unravel their secrets. The internet, our boundless portal to knowledge, connects us with online communities of investigators passionate about exploring these enigmas. Through the digital realm, the pursuit of understanding has transcended physical boundaries, offering us a wealth of information and expertise at our fingertips.
Every click delves deeper into the fascinating tapestry of the world, revealing hidden stories and captivating facts. Yet, amidst these discoveries, a universal truth emerges: often, things are not as extraordinary as they first seemed to be. Here are six mystery finds that people wondered about and received unexpected answers.
6. Junk or Something More?
An original poster shared this picture online after finding what they decided to call a “scoopy doodad” in a junk drawer. Holding the mysterious item in both their hands, they turned to the virtual world for help and, of course, answers.
They said it was extremely heavy, came with no markings, and bore a very narrow hole on its top. What could it be?
The Answer: According to netizens, the classic Sunbeam Mixmaster came with a juicer attachment, a bowl that could attach to the top of the mixer. The strange object happened to be the spout the juice would pour out of, with the wire part holding a small strainer to filter out the pulp.
5. An Old Cabinet Find
One user stumbled upon something in an old cabinet, which they said was made entirely of glass and had narrow holes throughout its length. Hoping to find out what it was, they shared the peculiar object’s photo online, and fortunately, many people were quick to solve the puzzle.
The Answer: The odd-looking glass object turned out to be a flower frog, used for holding a flower arrangement in a vase. The person who shared the answer said it had been made obsolete by foam and gels.
4. A Heavy Glass Object
This person turned to Reddit to share a picture of a glass object lying on a wooden table. They said it was extremely heavy, came with no markings, and bore a very narrow hole on its top. What could it be?
The Answer: The mystery of the bizarre-looking glass object was cracked by a genius netizen who used two words to solve the puzzle: Oil candle. We bet you didn’t see that one coming, or did you?
3. The Mystery Object Hiding inside a Bedroom Drawer
A Reddit user didn’t expect to find this unusual object while opening their bedside drawer. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that its bottom appeared to be made of suede or soft leather. But that was all they could manage to guess or conclude.
The Answer: Nobody could have guessed what it was until one user shared the answer and solved the mystery: It was a nail buffer. Even the original poster was shocked and said they clearly didn’t pay much attention to their nails.
2. What’s Hiding underneath the Floorboards?
Sharing the picture of a silver-colored object, somewhat resembling an antique scissor of sorts, one user couldn’t help but wonder what it could be. They said they found the bizarre thing under the floorboards in an 1800’s era home.
The Answer: The mystery of the puzzling item was cracked by one netizen, who shared it was used to remove the top of soft-boiled eggs. Another user quickly confirmed that the answer was correct.
1. A Baffling Hotel Room Find
A guest staying in a hotel room was baffled when they stumbled upon a vertical slot inside their bedside table. They couldn’t help but wonder what it was used for, and when they struggled to find the answer, they decided to ask the online community for help.
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