Clinical Trial Shows That Stem Cells From Baby Teeth Can Help Regrow Injured Dental Tissue

An interesting clinical trial led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania highlights the potential of stem cells from baby teeth to regrow living tissue in teeth damaged by trauma.  The very small clinical trial (only 40 children) focused on children who injured one of their permanent front teeth and still had baby teeth in their mouth.  Ten children were in the control group while thirty children had tissue extracted from a healthy baby tooth to repair the injured tooth.  The stem cells were reproduced in a laboratory culture and the resulting cells were implanted into the injured tooth.  Compared to controls, the children who received the stem cell treatment had more signs of healthy root development.  They also had thicker dentin and increased blood flow, and were reported to have regained some sensation.