Tooth Regeneration – How TRG-035 Could One Day Replace Dental Implants: A Milestone in Regenerative Dentistry
- Thomas Gasser
- Dec 20, 2025
- 3 min read
TRG-035: The Drug That Could Regrow Lost Teeth
The idea of naturally regrowing lost teeth sounds like science fiction – yet it may soon become reality.
Japanese researchers are currently developing a drug called TRG-035, designed to stimulate the human body to regenerate its own teeth.
This discovery marks a milestone in regenerative dentistry and could eventually offer an alternative to dental implants or dentures.
How Does TRG-035 Work?
At the center of this innovation is a protein known as USAG-1, which naturally suppresses the growth of new teeth in the human body.
The drug TRG-035 specifically targets and blocks this protein, reactivating dormant tooth buds – the biological structures that once formed our milk and permanent teeth. By inhibiting USAG-1, the body may once again be able to produce new teeth, much like during early development.
TRG-035 is administered as an intravenous injection, allowing the active compound to circulate through the bloodstream and reach its biological targets.
The goal: to enable natural tooth regeneration – without surgery, implants, or synthetic materials.
Promising Results in Animal Studies
Before the start of human trials, the Japanese research team achieved remarkable results in animal testing:
Mice: successful regrowth of fully functional teeth with no significant side effects
Ferrets: clear tooth development – their dental anatomy closely resembles that of humans
Dogs: growth of new, functional teeth with stable anchorage in the jaw
These findings suggest that TRG-035 could potentially work in humans as well – leading to the logical next step: clinical trials.
Human Trials in Japan – A New Chapter in Dentistry
Since 2024, the Kyoto University Hospital has been conducting the first human clinical trials of TRG-035.Thirty adults aged between 30 and 64, each missing at least one tooth, are participating in this initial study.
The main goal of this first phase is to evaluate the drug’s safety and optimal dosage.
Future studies will investigate whether TRG-035 can also help patients with congenital tooth loss (hypodontia or anodontia).
If these trials prove successful, it could mark a true paradigm shift in modern dentistry – moving from reconstruction to regeneration.
Tooth Regeneration vs. Tooth Replacement – Potential Advantages
The prospect of biologically regrowing teeth offers several key advantages compared to conventional dental treatments such as implants or dentures:
Natural appearance and function
Regrown teeth consist entirely of the patient’s own tissue and integrate seamlessly into the natural dentition.
Lower risk of complications
No risk of implant rejection, peri-implantitis, or foreign-body reactions.
Long-term durability
Naturally regenerated teeth could, in theory, last a lifetime if they remain stable and functional.
Experts estimate that clinical applications could become available around 2030, depending on the outcome of ongoing trials.
Ethical and Regulatory Considerations
The development of such drugs requires the highest ethical and scientific standards. Before approval, TRG-035 must undergo strict testing for safety, efficacy, and quality. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA (USA) and EMA (Europe) oversee every stage to ensure that any future clinical use is both safe and effective.
Expert Opinions on Tooth Regeneration
Prof. Angray Kang (Queen Mary University London):“An exciting but long journey – not a sprint, but a marathon.”
Dr. Chengfei Zhang emphasizes that enthusiasm must be balanced with rigorous scientific validation to ensure long-term safety.
The professional consensus is clear: TRG-035 represents a significant step forward, yet patience and thorough research will be essential before it becomes a clinical reality.
Conclusion – From the Perspective of Dr. Thomas Gasser, Specialist Dentist in Basel
The development of TRG-035 is fascinating and full of promise, though it remains in the experimental phase.Our clinic does not conduct or participate in TRG-035 clinical studies.However, we follow these international scientific developments with great interest, as regenerative approaches may soon reshape the future of dentistry.
Until then, at our Basel clinic we provide state-of-the-art, evidence-based treatments for tooth loss – from dental implants to complex reconstructive concepts – delivered with the highest level of professional precision and care.
Our mission: individual, safe, and long-lasting solutions for your natural smile.
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📍 Specialist Dental Practice
Dr. Thomas Gasser
Greifengasse 1,
4058 Basel
📞 +41 61 681 00 10