Saving Stem Cells – Banking Stem Cells – From your teeth
Saving Stem Cells – Banking Stem Cells – From your teeth
Kristin Lowman
Megan Brown is no stranger to surgery. At 10 years old, Megan had a brain tumor
Megan says, “two surgeries to get the turmor out, now, I’m fine.”
So today’s wisdom teeth removal is nearly a walk in the park for Megan and her family.
But this procedure is special, because one day, it could save her life.
Megan says, “its been a recent discovery that your wisdom teeth contain stem cells. So I’m going to bank them.”
Dr. Robert Carpenter says, “in teeth, particularly dediuous baby teeth and wisdom teeth there is a tremendous quality of stem cells.”
There are two sources of stem cells, embryonic and adult. Obtaining embryonic stem cells is quite controversial while adult stem cells can be found in many organs and tissues in the body, including your teeth.
Living stem cells in extracted teeth are usually thrown out, but now, research shows saving those cells, could help with medical treatments down the road.
Dr. Carpenter uses a service called Stem Save, to harvest the stem cells.
Stem Save also tests the viability of those cells and cryogenically freezes them until they are needed.
Dr. Carpenter says, “you’re getting your own stem cells so there is no chance for rejection, no disease, and you can personalize them for any use you need throughout your life.”
Right now, dental stem cells are being used to treat MS, Parkinson’s, even liver and heart disease. Several hundred clinical trials are also underway around the world.
In just over a year, around 200 dentists across the country are using this service alone.
For Megan and her parents, its a safety net they are glad to have.
They start up cost for the service is around $600. Thats for testing the cells and for the first year of storage.
Right now, Dr. Carpenter says the service is not covered by insurance
via Saving Stem Cells – FOX23 News – The 10 O’Clock News.
