Dental stem cells could transform treatment for patients. Stem cells are different that other cells in the body because they regenerate and reproduce specialized cell types. They heal and restore skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves and other tissues when injured.
There are an abundance of stem cells in baby teeth, wisdom teeth and permanent teeth. Living stem cells from extracted teeth can be recovered at the time of planned dental procedures. Dental stem cells are the most accessible and available stem cells and use of dental stem cells represent a lower risk of infection for those that can use their own stem cells. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time that stem cells harvested from other tissues in the body.
While root canals have a good rate of success, there is no way to regenerate the tissue at this time; however, use of stem cells to regenerate dental tissue prior to decay and infection and the need for a root canal is a possibility with current stem cell research in the near future.
Please contact our offices with any questions or concerns you may have at 309-691-9100 in Peoria or 309-966-2001 in East Peoria.