Saving a child’s deciduous, or baby, teeth has evolved beyond tradition, now offering a potential biological resource for future health. These teeth contain specialized cells known as Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs), a type of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) found within the soft inner tissue of the tooth. DPSCs are valuable because they are young, highly proliferative, and can differentiate into various cell types. Securing these cells requires careful handling and immediate temporary preservation at home before they are collected and permanently processed by a professional biobank.
The Science Behind Dental Stem Cells
Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) are a unique population of adult stem cells residing in the pulp tissue of teeth. They originate from the cranial neural crest-derived ectomesenchyme. A specific subtype, known as Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth (SHED), is found in baby teeth and is noted for its high growth capacity and ability to multiply rapidly.
These stem cells are multipotent, meaning they can develop into several distinct cell types, including odontoblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and neuronal cells. Research is exploring their potential in regenerative therapies for conditions such as spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative disorders, bone repair, and heart tissue regeneration. They are also being investigated for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which could benefit the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Banking DPSCs from baby teeth is advantageous because the cells are collected when they are young and healthy, before exposure to the cumulative damage of aging and environmental factors.
Identifying the Ideal Tooth for Banking
Not every baby tooth that falls out is a suitable source for viable stem cells. The viability of the Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) depends on the tooth’s condition and the stage of its natural exfoliation. The most desirable teeth for banking are the anterior deciduous teeth—the upper and lower front six teeth—as they often contain the most viable pulp tissue.
A tooth that has been extremely loose for an extended period has likely suffered significant root resorption, which diminishes the internal pulp tissue and reduces stem cell viability. Ideally, the tooth should be freshly fallen out or professionally extracted while a portion of the root structure remains intact. This ensures the pulp tissue maintained a blood supply until collection. Teeth that are heavily decayed, have large fillings, or show signs of infection are poor candidates, as these conditions compromise the health and sterility of the dental pulp stem cells.
Immediate At-Home Storage Protocol
The period immediately following tooth loss requires quick action to maintain the viability of the Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) before professional cryopreservation. The primary goal of the at-home protocol is to keep the pulp tissue moist and prevent bacterial contamination. If a specialized commercial collection kit has been pre-arranged with a stem cell bank, those instructions must be followed, as these kits contain a proprietary stabilizing medium.
If a kit is unavailable, the tooth must be placed in a temporary storage medium as quickly as possible, ideally within minutes of falling out. The tooth should be handled only by the enamel crown, avoiding contact with the root or the exposed pulp tissue. Acceptable temporary media include sterile saline solution or pasteurized milk, which provide a nutrient-rich and pH-neutral environment to support cell life for a short duration.
The container holding the tooth and its medium must be sealed and immediately refrigerated, not frozen. Freezing in a standard home freezer causes ice crystals to form and destroy the delicate cells. Maintaining a temperature between 39 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 8 degrees Celsius) is optimal for temporary preservation. This storage window is brief, typically a maximum of 24 to 48 hours, before the tooth must be transferred to the professional bank for processing and long-term cryopreservation.
Transitioning to Professional Processing
The success of dental stem cell banking depends on the transition from temporary home storage to the specialized laboratory environment. Before the tooth is lost, a contract must be established with a private dental stem cell banking facility, which provides the necessary collection kit and logistical support. Upon the tooth’s loss, the parent must immediately contact the bank to initiate the collection and transportation process within the short, time-sensitive window.
The bank arranges for a dedicated, temperature-controlled courier service to pick up the kit from the home or dental office. This specialized transport ensures the tooth remains at the appropriate cool temperature during transit to the laboratory, preserving cell integrity. Once the tooth arrives at the facility, trained technicians extract the dental pulp, isolate the stem cells, and perform viability testing. The viable cells are then treated with a cryoprotectant solution and placed into long-term cryogenic storage, maintained at ultra-low temperatures until they are needed for future medical applications.