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
A Man Reveals Dramatic Results of Eye Plastic Surgery and Facial Fillers Removal, Leaving People Stunned
In a bold move challenging societal beauty standards, a man has revealed the striking outcomes of his decision to undergo eye plastic surgery and remove facial fillers. The transformative journey, documented on social media, has captivated audiences, leaving them awestruck by the dramatic changes.
He wanted to look ’plastic.’
David Kosir, embarked on a relentless pursuit of his ideal aesthetic through cosmetic surgery, gaining notoriety for his extravagant transformation journey. Kosir’s fascination with plastic enhancement began in 2019 with the innocuous use of fillers, gradually escalating into a full-blown obsession. His journey saw him traversing the globe in pursuit of his ideal look, with each procedure contributing to the evolution of his appearance.
May 2021 marked a significant milestone as he underwent his first permanent procedure. Kosir’s aspirations for a «human, male Barbie doll look, like Ken» underscored his admiration for the «plastic, fake» aesthetic, which he deemed the pinnacle of beauty. His story serves as a compelling testament to the lengths individuals will go to achieve their desired image.
David Kosir spent a lot of money in beauty procedures.
David Kosir spared no expense in his pursuit of aesthetic enhancements, admitting to investing a substantial sum in various beauty procedures. Kosir allocated $100,000 to plastic surgery endeavors, including acquiring 14 milliliters of lip filler for $7,500, undergoing monthly freckle laser removal sessions costing $1,200, receiving 10 milliliters of cheek filler for $7,000, etc.
Additionally, Kosir underwent a nose job for $13,000, invested $33,000 in teeth veneers and crowns. Kosir attributed his continued inspiration to the influx of images portraying beautifully enhanced individuals on his social media platforms.
Kosir decided to remove all his facial filler.
Last year, David Kosir, widely recognized as @plasticbotchedboy online, made headlines uploading a video with the caption «removed all my facial filler.» This video, showcasing a dramatic before-and-after transformation, quickly went viral, amassing a staggering 22 million views.
Viewers were astounded by the visible difference, flooding the comments section with praise for the change. Comments such as «The best thing he could have done», «Looks so much better without, looked funky before,» and «you instantly look younger, so much more youthful!» flooded in, highlighting the overwhelmingly positive response to Kosir’s decision to reverse his cosmetic enhancements.
He additionally underwent further procedures.
Following the removal of his fillers, David Kosir embarked on a comprehensive series of cosmetic procedures, including cat eyes, cheek lift, lip lift, and facial fat transfer, among others. The initial aftermath of these surgeries presented a dramatically altered appearance, prompting widespread speculation and concern among viewers.
A viral video capturing his swollen post-operative face fueled skepticism about the outcome. However, as time passed, Kosir revealed the stunning results of his transformation, showcasing his healed and refined features. The remarkable change received an outpouring of praise from admirers, with comments like, «You know what, I didn’t trust the process at first….but now that you’re healed, you look gorgeous» flooding in.
Talking about major plastic surgery changes to one’s face might conjure images of subtle tweaks, but the story behind «I Spent $1MILLION on Plastic Surgery to Look Like a Barbie Doll» takes transformation to an entirely new level. This captivating article explores the incredible transformation of a person who invested a staggering amount to resemble the iconic Barbie doll.
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