How are stem cells harvested from teeth and dental tissues?
Adult stem cells can be harvested from the pulp of primary and permanent teeth, by removing the periodontal ligament from extracted teeth, saving bone fragments during placement of dental implants, and by collecting bone marrow after tooth extraction. Mucosa, muscle and periosteum – non-pathologic tissues removed from the oral cavity that otherwise would be discarded – can contain stem cells that are able to be cryopreserved. Dental stem cells can be recovered immediately following exfoliation of a deciduous tooth, but are best recovered after the extraction of deciduous teeth as the teeth become mobile, but still maintain their circumferential gingival attachment.
