Japanese scientists have reportedly made a huge breakthrough in oral health science following news of the development of a drug capable of stimulating teeth growth.

According to reports, the treatment, led by Dr. Katsu Takahashi and his team at Kitano Hospital’s Medical Research Institute, targets a protein known as USAG-1, which suppresses tooth development. By blocking this protein, the drug activates dormant “third-generation” tooth buds that exist in most people, thus facilitating conditions for a natural replacement to dentures and dental implants.

It’s understood that the drug has already shown remarkable results in animal trials, where it successfully triggered new tooth growth in mice and later in ferrets, animals with reported dental patterns that closely mirror those of humans.

With the results of the human trials, which began last September, currently being observed and evaluated, similar positive outcomes could see the revolutionary drug’s projected market-readiness by 2030, as ccording to reports in The Mainichi.