Chapter 654: Testing the Medicine

Chapter 654: Chapter 654: Testing the Medicine

For teeth to regenerate, they must be supported by healthy alveolar bone.

If the foundation is unstable or the bone is too porous, the tooth won’t be able to take root even if the germ is activated.

The purpose of the Drynaria rhizome is to provide a stable and fertile "growth medium" for the developing tooth germ, while also repairing damage to the alveolar bone caused by extractions or inflammation.

’No wonder Drynaria rhizome is found in almost every famous formula for bone injuries.’

Li Xu nodded to himself. ’Using it in the Tooth Regeneration Formula to both nourish the kidneys and strengthen the bones... it’s a match made in heaven.’

As for the final main ingredient—Ginseng—its inclusion was a given.

Known as the "King of Herbs," Ginseng greatly replenishes Primordial Qi, restores the pulse, and prevents collapse.

Its core active ingredient, ginsenoside, has been confirmed in the most cutting-edge stem cell and regenerative medicine research to significantly regulate cellular metabolism and promote cell proliferation and differentiation.

For a "heaven-defying" undertaking like tooth regeneration—a process requiring immense energy and complex cellular differentiation—Ginseng acts as the "nuclear reactor" providing a ceaseless supply of power.

Having figured out the pharmacology, Li Xu immediately got to work.

Although the clinic’s medicine cabinet contained gromwell, Drynaria rhizome, and Ginseng—all of decent quality and considered standard commercial-grade products sourced from legitimate channels...

But in Li Xu’s eyes, these common-grade ingredients weren’t good enough to concoct such a heaven-defying Divine Medicine.

He picked up the phone and dialed Gao Yuan’s number.

"Hey, Elder Gao. How has the herb sourcing been going lately?"

The sound of wind could be heard in the background on Gao Yuan’s end; he was clearly outdoors. "Haha, I was just about to give you an update. My luck was good this time. I sourced a batch of high-quality wild herbs from western Sichuan. They just arrived at the warehouse."

"Perfect timing," Li Xu said, overjoyed. "Do you have any quality gromwell and Drynaria rhizome? What about Wild Ginseng?"

"Of course, I do," Gao Yuan said proudly. "The gromwell is wild, and the Drynaria rhizome is naturally grown. As for the Wild Ginseng, it might not be the oldest, but its rhizome head is long with dense stem scars—it’s a top-quality specimen."

"Excellent. I’m on my way to pick them up."

Li Xu hung up and headed straight for the warehouse of Ding’s Medicinal Materials Company.

After collecting the herbs, he dove into the compounding room and got to work.

Grinding, sifting, mixing, decocting...

He performed every step with meticulous care, strictly following the process detailed in the information he had.

He was busy all morning.

Finally, two doses of the Tooth Regeneration Formula were complete.

One was a deep purple paste that gave off a cool, unusual fragrance. It was for topical application to the alveolar bone, acting directly on the affected area.

The other was a concentrated, brownish-red decoction to be taken orally. It would regulate his internal organs, nourish the kidneys, and replenish his qi, providing systemic support for the regeneration process.

With the medicine prepared, it was time for the most critical step: clinical trials.

Li Xu looked at the paste in his hands, facing a dilemma.

He had wanted to test the medicine on himself. After all, that was the only way to directly experience its effects and any potential side effects, which would give him the most confidence.

But...

He subconsciously ran his tongue over his own perfectly straight, healthy teeth.

’I can’t just knock one out with a hammer to test the medicine, can I?’

’Find a patient at the dental department of the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine?’

Li Xu shook his head.

There were plenty of dental patients, but the idea of "regrowing teeth" sounded too fantastical, like something out of a fairy tale.

If he rashly approached a stranger, they would surely think he was a con man or a lunatic. He might even get a complaint filed against him for using patients as guinea pigs.

’Give it to President Ding and have him find volunteers?’

’That could work.’

’If the price is right, someone would surely be willing to try.’

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Li Xu.

’Right, Lin Xiaoyu.’

He suddenly remembered that Lin Xiaoyu had a toothache a couple of days ago and was planning to have the tooth pulled.

’I wonder how she’s doing now.’

’Besides, Lin Xiaoyu is an acquaintance. She trusts him, and communication would be easy.’

With that in mind, Li Xu immediately gave Lin Xiaoyu a call.

"Hey, Editor Lin, how’s your tooth? Does it still hurt?"

Lin Xiaoyu’s voice was a bit muffled, and it was clear she had trouble speaking clearly. "I had it pulled a few days ago, so it doesn’t hurt anymore... but the socket is still there. I have a bit of a lisp, and it’s hard to eat. The dentist said I have to let it heal for three months before I can get an implant. It’s so annoying."

"Editor Lin, I have something I’d like to discuss with you."

Li Xu said, "I’ve recently developed a ’Tooth Regeneration Formula’ based on an ancient prescription. In theory, it can stimulate the alveolar bone and activate the tooth germ, allowing a person’s third set of teeth to grow in."

"What?"

Lin Xiaoyu was stunned. "Regrow? Doctor Li, you can’t be serious, can you? That’s... how is that possible? All the dentists said it’s completely irreversible. Even some cutting-edge lab in Japan says it won’t be possible until 2030, and you’ve already figured it out?"

"The mysteries of Chinese medicine are often far ahead of their time," Li Xu explained. "Of course, this is the very first trial, so I can’t give you a one-hundred-percent guarantee that it will actually grow back. I’ll need to monitor your body’s constitution and response, and adjust the formula as we go."

"So, I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to be our first ’volunteer’ and give it a try?"

Lin Xiaoyu fell silent.

Although she held an almost blind admiration for Li Xu, something that so thoroughly defied common sense still gave her pause.

’But then again,’ she thought. ’The tooth is already gone. The worst that can happen is that nothing grows back. In that case, I’ll just get the implant in three months as planned. I have nothing to lose.’

’And what if it actually works?’

’Wouldn’t that save me over ten thousand yuan?’

’And I’d get to skip the pain of having a drill bore a hole in my jaw?’

’Most importantly, it would be my own, real tooth.’

"Okay, I’ll do it."

Lin Xiaoyu agreed. "My tooth is already gone, anyway. It’s a long shot, but I’ll give it a try. I trust you, Doctor Li. I know you wouldn’t hurt me."

"Great. Come to the clinic now."

Half an hour later, Lin Xiaoyu arrived at the clinic, holding her cheek.

Li Xu had her sit in the treatment chair, and after putting on a pair of gloves, he examined her mouth.

The extraction site was still healing. There was a dark red blood clot, and her gums were still slightly red and swollen.

"This might feel a little cold. Just bear with it."

Li Xu dipped a cotton swab into the paste and gently applied it to the empty tooth socket.

HISS—

Lin Xiaoyu flinched.

The sensation was strange.

When the paste first touched the wound, there was a slight sting, but it was immediately followed by a deeply refreshing coolness that quickly penetrated deep into her gums.

The dull, throbbing ache from the swelling lessened almost instantly.

"How does it feel?" Li Xu asked.

"It’s cool... and actually pretty comfortable."

Lin Xiaoyu mumbled.

"That’s good."

Li Xu brought over a bowl of the freshly prepared decoction. "Drink this. It’s a little bitter, but good medicine is always bitter."

Lin Xiaoyu pinched her nose and downed it in one gulp.

"Starting today, you need to come in every day. I’ll reapply the medicine and monitor your progress."

Li Xu instructed, "Stick to a bland diet for the next few days. Nothing spicy or irritating."