New drug will help people 'grow new teeth' in huge scientific breakthrough

Japanese scientists have been working on a new drug that could help people grow new teeth, after they've lost them due to decay or genetic defects.

The incredible results from pharmaceutical start-up Toregem Biopharma, based in Kyoto, have been successful so far. Scientists have been testing the drug in laboratory experiments using mice, ferrets and dogs , and they are planning to start testing the drug on humans next summer.

This would be a ground-breaking new scientific development, as currently the only way to replace missing or lost teeth is to use artificial implants or prosthetics. The new drug works by stimulating dormant “tooth buds”, which have usually shrunk and disappeared in people who have grown a full set of healthy teeth.