Stem cells in dentistry and medicine: the dentist's role

Research has shown that teeth are a source of high quality stem cells that may be used for the treatment of medical and dental disease. The discovery that odontogenic tissues are a source of adult stem cells has opened up a new role for dentists in the field of medicine. Dentists are positioned to become one of the key providers of stem cells, and as a result, their linkage with the medical field will become very intimate. Dental stem cells have the potential to be used in the treatment of a full range of oral pathoses. Dentists can be involved in the extraction, collection, and storage of the stem cells from their patients' teeth. Ongoing research suggests that these stem cells will soon be used for dental purposes such as to replace lost bone around teeth, periodontal ligament or dental pulp; treat periodontal disease; and someday even produce new teeth, as well as for medical applications. In order for dentists to fully participate in this new role, they should become aware of the applications, clinical use, and banking of dental stem cells.