National Bone Health Policy Institute indicates that 10 million individuals in the U.S. aged 50 and older have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and even a greater number have low bone density—astronauts too face alarming rates of bone deterioration. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that at least 11% of elderly individuals have experienced total tooth loss. But could this loss be reversible? What if it were possible for teeth and bones to regenerate?
The alveolar bone, which secures teeth and absorbs chewing pressure, naturally goes through significant wear and tear over one’s lifetime. Its deterioration affects billions globally suffering from periodontal disease. Recently, researchers may have uncovered a breakthrough that could potentially reverse this decline. This involves two vital types of stem cells that might enable the body to regrow teeth and reconstruct bone.
The methodologies and results of the research were published in the journal Nature Communications in 2025 under the title “A Hedgehog–Foxf axis coordinates dental follicle-derived alveolar bone formation.” The study revealed that the accurate regulation of the stem cells’ signaling pathway is essential for them to evolve into bone-forming osteoblasts. This discovery could pave the way for a future where both teeth and jawbone tissue can be regenerated.
