StemCell Therapy

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By Annie Price, CHHC

June 26, 2017

Did you know theres a new typeofdentalfilling that actually triggers your teeth to repair and regenerate themselves? Its true. Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Nottingham recently developed a procedureknown asstem cell fillings. In essence, its aregenerative dental filling that prompts the stem cells inside a personsown tooth to heal itself. This is a revolutionary dental health discovery thatcould make the dreaded root canal a dental procedureof the past.

Its a very common belief that existing tooth decay andcavities cannot be reversed, but thats never actually been true. The practice of drilling a tooth and fillingit with a synthetic material is not the only or thebest way to address cavities. Similarly, a root canal is not necessarily a must; there are natural ways to avoid this intense dental procedure.

One of the newest and best ways might just be stem cell fillings. This new approach couldimpact the lives of millions of dental patients and heal teeth when they are injured from dental disease or dental surgery, two very common health concerns.

Adam Celiz, PhD, research fellow at the University of Nottingham, explains:

Existing dental fillings are toxic to cells and are therefore incompatible with pulp tissue inside the tooth.We have designed synthetic biomaterials that can be used similarly to dental fillings but can be placed in direct contact with pulp tissue to stimulate the native stem cell population for repair and regeneration of pulp tissue and the surrounding dentin. (1)

In short, the biomaterial filling would allow the tooth to heal itself.

Typically, the pulp of the tooth and the nerve are removed during a root canal. I know, it doesnt sound too enjoyable. And unfortunately, it can often be quite painful.The good news is that if stem cell fillings become the norm, then fillings made of synthetic biomaterials would be inserted that stimulate dental stem cells to repair and regenerate dentin. Dentin is the bony tissue that forms the majorityof the tooth under the enamel.

The researchers believe that if stem cell fillings are used in a damaged tooth, then the tooths own stem cells willrepair the disease and damage that typically requires a root canal by todays common dental standards. This could also help dental patients avoid other dangerous chemicals typically found in composite dental fillings and sealants. BPAand related estrogenicchemicals often used in fillings can break down in the mouth, exposing patients to hormone-disrupting chemicals and even the carcinogen formaldehyde. (2)

By reversingcavities naturally, youre not only avoiding fillings, you can also avoid root canals.The common reasons that you might need a root canal include having a deep cavity, having acracked tooth, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma. Want to avoidthe need for a painful root canal? Then you must eliminate tooth decay through good nutrition and proper oral hygiene.

While it may take some time for the stem cell fillings technology to hit your dentists office, there are things you can do now toavoid root canals and cavities.

Stem cells are defined as cells that have the ability to divide and develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. Stem cells canalso help repair the body, or in this case a dental disease or injury, by dividing to replenish cells that are damaged by disease, injury, or normal wear. (4)

The research is looking very promising for the use of tooth stem cells in dental patients. So promising in fact that itearned second place in the materials category at the Royal Society of Chemistrys Emerging Technologies Competition 2016.

Hopefully, this type of treatment might be an optionto the public in the very near future. Imaginebeing able to regenerate components of your own teeth. Were potentially looking at a much brighter future of dentistry where damaged teeth could actually heal themselves, lower filling failure rates andthe need for mostroot canals could even be eliminated all together.

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Read this article:
Stem Cell Fillings: A Revolutionary Dental Discovery - Dr. Axe

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