Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have identified dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in extracted wisdom teeth as a powerful and accessible source for regenerative therapies.
These cells, housed within the soft core of the tooth pulp, have demonstrated the remarkable ability to transform into neurons, bone, cartilage, and even heart muscle cells in laboratory settings—highlighting their versatility and therapeutic promise . Unlike embryonic or bone marrow-derived stem cells, DPSCs can be collected easily, ethically, and with minimal risk during routine dental procedures, making them ideal for personalized “biological insurance.”
Preclinical studies reveal compelling potential across multiple domains: DPSCs have shown efficacy in regenerating neural tissue for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s models and demonstrated bone and cartilage repair capabilities in orthopedic and dental applications .
Their ability to secrete growth factors, stimulate angiogenesis, and integrate into injured tissue positions these cells at the forefront of personalized medicine. As biotech companies and labs begin banking wisdom teeth, this “medical gold” could soon facilitate a new era of minimally invasive, patient-specific therapies spanning neurological, cardiac, and skeletal disorders.
Source: Earth.com
