Experts say it could happen in the next five years—which could be something to smile about for the 120 million Americans who are missing one or more.
Keeping healthy teeth as you age is about more than having an attractive smile or chewing with ease. Research published earlier this year showed that teeth are such a big indicator of health that the more you keep as you get older, the more likely you may be to live a long life.
But if you’ve lost teeth over the years, there’s some cool news that might feel a little “weird science.” New research from a team in Japan suggests that in the not-so-distant future, total tooth loss could become a problem of the past. In September 2025, Popular Mechanics reported that the team is currently conducting human trials on an experimental monoclonal antibody drug that could stimulate tooth growth. In previous animal studies, the intravenously-administered drug was found to help ferrets re-grow their teeth by suppressing a gene that inhibits tooth development.
In a 2021 press release regarding the animal study, Dr. Katsu Takahashi, co-author and Kitano Hospital head of dentistry and oral surgery said: “We knew that suppressing [the gene] USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough.” He added that ferrets have “similar dental patterns to humans,” making them a good first-phase stand-in for people.
To test the drug in humans, the researchers recruited 30 men between the ages of 30 and 64 who were missing at least one tooth. If the trial confirms the drug to be safe and effective, the team will next look to give it to children ages two to seven who are missing four or more teeth. The human study reportedly began in September 2024 and was scheduled to last 11 months. Currently, it appears the results have yet to be reported out.
The Mainichi, a Japanese newspaper, noted last year that the team hopes to bring the tooth-regrowing drug to market by 2030. They believe that the products will be effective against congenital tooth deficiency—a condition marked by missing teeth at birth—but they’re also optimistic that it could someday help someone who’s lost a tooth due to cavity, injury, or non-hereditary conditions.
This is significant, considering an estimated 120 million Americans are currently missing one or more teeth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists, and another 36 million “do not have any teeth.” According to their experts, “The most common reasons for losing a tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth is dental decay (cavities), gum and bone disease, or trauma.”
Of course, even if we can someday regenerate broken or missing teeth, it’s still important to take care of the ones we have now. After all, the association between tooth loss and longevity is not necessarily causal: the same lifestyle risk factors that impact oral health—such as poor diet, smoking, and overlooked self-care, as examples—can also spike your risk of chronic illness, leading to higher odds of early death. By sticking to regular hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth two to three times daily, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, caring for your oral health now can have a lasting impact.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
