The use of adult stem cells is important for applications in dentistry as well as all medical fields, according to a recent congressional briefing on adult stem cells. Dr. Mary MacDougall from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and president-elect of the American Association for Dental Research, discussed findings involving the application of adult stem cells in dental research. Research is under-way using adult stem cells isolated from deciduous and permanent teeth to repair and regenerate teeth, and scientists are working toward isolating stem cells from all dental tissues for use in regenerating damaged and diseased tissue to ultimately regenerate whole teeth. With the use of stem cells, individuals would eventually be able to grow their own replacement teeth, according to Dr. MacDougall. Stem cells from teeth also have the potential to grow into other types of tissue, such as bone, cartilage, and nerve. In the future, tooth stem cells could be used for such purposes as regenerating knee cartilage damaged by sports injury.
(Source: The Mission, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, February/March 2005)
