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Unlike reptiles and fish, which usually replace their fangs on a regular basis, it is widely accepted that humans and most other mammals only grow two sets of teeth.

But hidden underneath our gums are the dormant buds of a third generation, according to Katsu Takahashi, head of oral surgery at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka.

[…]

Tests on mice and ferrets suggest that blocking a protein called USAG-1 can awaken the third set, and the researchers have published lab photographs of regrown animal teeth.

In a study published last year, the team said their "antibody treatment in mice is effective for tooth regeneration and can be a breakthrough in treating tooth anomalies in humans".

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[-] ThePantser@lemmy.world 25 points 1 week ago

It will be unnecessary as long as dentures are the cheaper option. If there is a drug that can regrow teeth then denture manufacturers will start jacking up their costs now to offset the decline in need. Eventually they will be equally priced, they will both be $1 million.

[-] Psychodelic@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago

I don't like your take. It's not cynical or pessimistic enough

[-] rollerbang@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Except that you can't really compare dentures and teeth. Not having teeth brings along a bunch of side effects like loss of bone structure in the jaw that wouldn't happen with teeth.

this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2024
233 points (99.6% liked)

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