Stem Cells

Stem cells are being used in more medical treatments today to treat a variety of health conditions, and more treatments are continuously being developed to find new uses for these powerful cells. At Lubbock Dental Specialists, you have the opportunity to bank the stem cells found in your child’s wisdom teeth following your child’s wisdom teeth removal procedure. By choosing to store your child’s stem cells, you are making an investment in your child’s future health. 

During your first visit, our board-certified oral surgeons, Dr. Graves and Dr. Wilkinson, are happy to discuss your options to bank stem cells from wisdom teeth. To schedule your appointment, contact Lubbock Dental Specialists in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, today. 

What Are Stem Cells? 

There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of an embryo. Adult stem cells are found living within specific different tissues in our bodies, and they can renew themselves or generate new cells to replenish damaged tissue. Specifically, adult stem cells can be found within the dental pulp of healthy adult teeth. 

Whereas other types of cells have highly specific purposes (i.e., blood cells produce blood cells), stem cells can adapt to other specialized cells and have great potential for cell restoration and replacement. Stem cells can repair connective tissue, bone, dental tissue, nerve tissue, and vital organs.

Why Bank Stem Cells From Wisdom Teeth? 

Most teeth are extracted because they are too decayed or damaged to be saved, but wisdom teeth are healthy teeth that are removed simply because there is not enough room for them. Because they are healthy teeth, they are a rich source of stem cells that, if not stored, go to waste following extraction. Dental pulp stem cells are at the peak of their viability between the ages of 13 and 24, which is around the time most people have their wisdom teeth taken out. 

Wisdom tooth extraction is the perfect time to bank stem cells because your child is already undergoing an oral surgery procedure. There are no additional steps of the wisdom teeth removal process. After the wisdom teeth are removed, your surgeon will simply ship them to the Stemodontics lab. By collecting stem cells now, you avoid the need to have your child undergo a separate procedure to harvest the stem cells.

How to Bank Stem Cells With Stemodontics^® 

Lubbock Dental Specialists is a proud partner of Stemodontics, the leaders in stem cell banking. When you enroll in stem cell banking, your oral surgeon will extract your child’s wisdom teeth and ship them to a secured laboratory. Normally, these teeth are discarded as medical waste, but by banking stem cells, you take advantage of these incredible cells that have already been produced. 

In the lab, your child’s stem cells are safely preserved in an advanced medical facility. Should your child ever need their stem cells, simply contact Stemodontics and they will ship the cells directly to your child’s medical provider.

Stem Cell Banking at Lubbock Dental Specialists

Banking your child’s stem cells during wisdom teeth removal is an investment in your child’s future health. Ask us about your stem cell banking options during your consultation. To schedule an appointment, contact our practice in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, today.