Regenerate teeth: The next evolution in dentistry

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• May 5, 2022

Insight summary

Imagine a world where regrowing natural teeth is a reality, reshaping dental care and offering a significant alternative to artificial implants. The development of a drug for teeth regeneration has the potential to democratize dental care but also brings challenges, such as potential misuse and a decline in revenue for dental professionals specializing in implants. Wider implications include shifts in dental practices, increased investment in dental research, and the emergence of personalized dental care.

Tooth regeneration context

One quarter of adults aged 65 or older have eight or fewer teeth, while 1 in 6  adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth, according to a 2011-16 study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, what if people could regenerate teeth where they need them most?

Adolescent and adult tooth decay is a common medical condition that can harm an individual's living standards. Human teeth are made up of three layers, each impacted by decay or injury in different ways. These layers include the outer enamel, dentin (the central region that protects the inside of the tooth), and the soft dental pulp (the inner component of the tooth). Artificial teeth and implants are the dentistry profession's most popular and used answer for patients suffering from severe teeth degradation.

However, artificial teeth and implants are not an optimal solution to missing teeth, as they require maintenance over time and do not always improve the patient's quality of life. In search of new solutions to problems created by tooth decay, researchers at the University of Fukui and Kyoto University in Japan developed a new drug to regenerate teeth (2021). They discovered that employing an antibody to block the gene USAG-1 can effectively contribute to tooth development in animals. 

According to Katsu Takahashi, one of the lead authors on the research team, the essential chemicals involved in tooth formation are already known, including bone morphogenetic protein and Wnt signaling. By suppressing the USAG-1 gene in mice and ferrets, these test animals were able to safely leverage these chemicals to regenerate a whole tooth. 

Disruptive impact

The discovery of a drug that could assist people in regrowing natural teeth represents a significant shift in dental care and has the potential to reshape the industry on a global scale. In the near term, such treatments might be employed by dental clinics worldwide, although the cost could be prohibitive initially. As generic versions of this drug become available, possibly in the early 2040s depending on patent laws, the cost may become more accessible to the public at large. This accessibility could democratize dental care, making advanced treatments available to a broader population.

However, this trend may have a negative impact on the dentistry industry in the long term. The ability to regrow natural teeth could reduce or even eliminate the need for expensive artificial implants, a cornerstone of modern dental practice. This shift could lead to a decline in revenue for dental professionals who specialize in these procedures. Additionally, the availability of such a drug may encourage harmful consumption and dental hygiene habits, as people might become less cautious, knowing that any damaged or degraded tooth can be replaced using the drug.

For governments and regulatory bodies, they can support the development and distribution of the drug to ensure that it reaches those in need, potentially improving overall dental health in their populations. However, they may also need to be mindful of potential misuse and the ethical considerations surrounding the drug's availability. Monitoring and regulation will likely be essential to balance the benefits of this trend with potential risks and unintended consequences.

Implications of regenerating teeth

Wider implications of teeth regeneration may include:

• Reduced demand for tooth implants and fake teeth, as most people would rather regenerate natural teeth, leading to a shift in dental practices and potential job losses in the field of dental prosthetics.
• Dental researchers receiving increased financial support and investment from healthcare companies and venture capitalists seeking to capitalize on teeth regeneration, fostering a new focus in dental science and research.
• Sales of substances known to harm teeth, ranging from sugary drinks and certain food types to pharmaceutical and illegal drugs, may increase as users may come to believe that they face no lifelong consequences if their teeth are harmed, potentially impacting public health.
• Increased funding into dental research labs to develop novelties such as designer teeth that are specific colors or are composed of specific materials, representing new revenue possibilities to replace the business lost to teeth regeneration.
• A shift in dental insurance policies to include or exclude regeneration treatments, leading to changes in premiums and coverage options for consumers.
• Governments implementing regulations and guidelines for teeth regeneration treatments, ensuring safety and ethical considerations, leading to standardized practices across the industry.
• The emergence of a market for personalized dental care, including customized teeth designs, leading to a new segment in the dental industry that caters to individual preferences and aesthetics.
• Changes in dental education and training to accommodate the new technology and treatments, leading to a reevaluation of curricula and skill requirements for dental professionals.
• A potential increase in social disparities if the treatment remains expensive and accessible only to wealthier segments of the population, leading to further inequality in healthcare access and outcomes.

Questions to consider

• What other side effects may appear across society as a result of tooth regenerative technology? 
• How might dentistry evolve as a result of future tooth regeneration treatments?