What are Dental Stem Cell?

Dental Stem Cells are harvested from the milk teeth of children in the age group of 6 -12 years. Stem cell therapy is the new realm of regenerative medicine for Wound Healing, Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injury, MI, MS, Osteoarthritis, etc. 

What are Dental Pulp Stem Cells?

The soft living tissue inside the tooth is known as dental pulp. Stem cells present here are named as Dental Pulp Stem Cells or (DPSCs). These are pluripotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types.

Where are DPSCs found?

The best Dental Pulp Stem Cells are present in baby teeth or milk teeth, especially in the upper and lower canines and incisors. Research has shown stem cell are also present in wisdom tooth of young adults.

Stem cells from the milk teeth are 'mesenchymal' type of cells. They have the ability to differentiate into variety of cell types including - chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes.

What are the potential uses of Dental Stem Cells?

Dental stem cells play a vital role in regenerative stem cell therapy of many degenerative and life threatening conditions. Depending on the type of differentiated cell type, they have a wide range of potential therapeutic application.

Cardio Myocytes: Aid to repair damaged cardiac tissue following a heart attack.

Neuronal: Generate nerve and brain tissue.

Myocytes: Repair muscle tissue.

Osteocytes: They have the ability to generate bone.

Chondrocytes:  They have the ability to generate cartilage, which would have an important role in the treatment of arthritis and joint injuries.

Adipocytes: Generate fat tissue.

Thus the dental stem cells can generate hard structures of the body such as bone, new dental tissue, cartilage and muscle.