Cryopreservation of stem cells may sound like science fiction, but I assure you, it is not. According to scientists, baby teeth have stem cells that help regenerate various parts of the body, so one day, these tiny teeth could save lives. Some parents have taken this to heart and have started storing their children’s teeth for the future. This is called tooth banking.
What Are Stem Cells?Stem cells are the cells that every organ and tissue in our body begins growing from. They are different because of their ability to regenerate, divide, and repair the human body. There are two main sources of stem cells (1):
Embryos: Formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development, also known as embryonic stem cells.
Adult tissue, aka adult stem cells
Both are characterized by their potency and potential to turn into other types of cells like muscle or bone. The stem cells found in baby teeth are known as SHED cells and have slightly different properties than the other kinds. “The SHED cells seem to make not only dentin but also something that is similar to bone,” says Dr. Pamela Robey, chief of the branch of the craniofacial and skeletal disease of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2)
Biological insuranceBaby teeth are a source of stem cells like bone marrow and can be saved as a form of biological insurance. That said, scientists, doctors, and dentists are still divided as to whether or not it is worth doing right now.
“Right now, I don’t think it is a logical thing to do. That’s my personal opinion,” says Dr. Robey. “That’s not to say that in the future, somebody could come up with a method that would make them very beneficial,” (3)
Potential applications of stem cells include (2, 3):
Regeneration of dental pulp
Whole tooth regeneration
Repair damaged cells from chemotherapy or disease
Treat blood-related diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and multiple myeloma
Stem cells from baby teeth have yet to actually be tested out on the last two items on that list, however, that’s not to say that in the future they could be. (4)
“The science is strong enough to show it’s not science fiction,” said American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President Dr. Jade Miller. “There’s going to be a significant application, and I want to give my grandkids the opportunity to have those options.”
Baby Teeth Cryopreservation aka ‘Tooth Banking’
