Baby Teeth and Stem Cells March 8, 2007
(I have absolutely no direct or indirect financial association with BioEden Tooth Cell Bank).
Click here to see the full Channel 7 news segment
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/11205869/detail.html
We live in exciting times. Technology brings us new breakthroughs almost daily. One of the most exciting opportunities that I have seen in dentistry is the ability to recover Stem cells from baby teeth.
Here’s why I’m excited: - When the baby teeth fall out, they are easily collected and saved. No complex medical procedures
- This is an ethical and non-controversial way to recover Stem cells. Some studies show that these Stem cells are actually more useful than embryonic Stem cells anyway.
- There are 12 chances to collect the right baby tooth and its Stem cells.
- When the baby tooth arrives at the Tissue Bank, the cells are grown right away to make sure that they will be usable. Only then, are they put into the deep freeze until some time in the future when they might need to be used.
- These cells could be used to help a sibling, Mom and Dad, or conceivably, Grandma and Grandpa. There is a large circle of potential benefit.
Here is a quick summary of how it works: Interested families can contact my office. We will help arrange your registration with BioEden Tooth Cell Bank. Patients registering through my office will receive SIX months of free cryo-preservation (deep freeze). BioEden will send you a collection kit. Simply place the freezer packs in your freezer so that they are ready.
When the tooth comes out, place it in the collection tube and add (pasteurized) milk. Close the tube, and place it in the transport box with the freezer packs and ship overnight to BioEden.
Once it arrives, BioEden begins the process to grow the Stem cells. Once it is verified that they will be viable (alive and healthy), the rest is placed into the deep freeze. There is some peace of mind knowing that IF it’s necessary to use these cells in the future, that we already know they work.
It’s that simple! I look at it as a type of health insurance for the future. We all want to provide a bright future for our kids. We talk a lot about saving for college, supporting their sports, arts and other activities. I think one of the greatest gifts we can provide is the potential to help treat a major health condition with these Stem cells.
Many current major medical problems can be treated well right now. One of the biggest complications with major life saving treatments (say a kidney transplant) is that often the grafted tissue is rejected by the body. In the future, these Stem cells are natural cells and if needed, there would be no rejection.
Costs: The costs show up in two ways: One: collection and initial processing. The collection fee ranges from $450-$600.
Two: After the initial period, there is a fee of $89 year to keep them in the deep freeze (Yes, there are financial options, even $29/mo).
Not ALL baby teeth work for this, so it’s important to get the right ones. If you need any assistance deciding what to do next, just contact my office at 303 988 6110 and ask about Baby Teeth Stem Cell Kits
Or mailto: newark4@msn.com
For additional information about Dr. Greenhalgh’s practice, visit us on the web at:
http://denver.doctoroogle.com/reviews/viewdentist.cfm/pageID/8/dentistID/22621/lakewood_dentist/dr_scott_greenhalgh
Click here to see the Channel 7 news segment
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/11205869/detail.html
Click here to visit the BioEden website for more information. http://www.bioeden.com
