Baby teeth or those mouthparts that have had to be removed are no longer a waste, they can be reused for medical purposes. It has been discovered that teeth are made up of between 50,000 and 250,000 stem cells that are easy to handle. These cells have the characteristic of regenerating themselves and differentiating into other specialized cells, such as bones, muscles and even neurons.
The stem cells are obtained from the dental pulp, which is never damaged, thanks to the arrangement of the tooth that protects it, and can remain intact for more than 20 years after its separation from the mouth. Thus, before wasting a considerable portion of stem cells from our organism, the dentist can be asked to send the piece to the laboratory, where the dental pulp is extracted from the rest and stored until it can be useful.
The latest research incorporating stem cells from dental pulp affirms that they contribute to the functional recovery of the brain and neurons. This opens a new avenue of research for future therapeutic uses in the field of neuronal regeneration, stroke and brain damage.