Stem Cell (Dental)

Dental pulp is the soft live tissue inside a tooth. Dental pulp contains stem cells, known as Dental Pulp Stem Cells. The finest Dental Pulp Stem Cells are found in a baby teeth or milk teeth. The stem cells from the milk teeth are 'mesenchymal' type of cells i.e. cells that have the ability to generate a wide variety of cell types like chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes. Chondrocytes are cells that have the ability to generate cartilage, which can play an important role in the treatment of arthritis and joint injuries. Osteoblasts are cells that have the ability to generate bones. Adipocytes are cells that have the ability to compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat. In essence, dental stem cells can generate solid structures of the body such as bone, new dental tissue, cartilage and muscle. New research suggests the potential (currently under experimental research) to regenerate nerves. This is being studied further for use in dentistry and medicine. With these properties of dental stem cells, you can well imagine the sheer confidence with which the next generation can face a host of life-threatening situations later in life, since they will be equipped with the means to rectify and regenerate parts of their own bodies. Dentition The following table lists the age-span during which milk teeth and permanent teeth start appearing. Baby Teeth (Primary) Upper Teeth Eruption of Teeth Central incisor 8 to 12 months Loss of Teeth : 6 to 7 years Lateral incisor 9 to 13 months Loss of Teeth : 7 to 8 years Canine 16 to 22 months Loss of Teeth : 10 to 12 years First molar 13 to 19 months Loss of Teeth : 9 to 11 years Second molar 25 to 33 months Loss of Teeth : 10 to 12 years Lower Teeth Eruption of Teeth Central incisor 6 to 10 months Lateral incisor 10 to 16 months Canine 17 to 23 months First molar 14 to 18 months Second molar 23 to 31 months Permanent Teeth Upper Teeth Eruption of Teeth Central incisor 7 to 8 years Lateral incisor 8 to 9 years Canine 11 to 12 years First premolar 10 to 11 years Second premolar 10 to 12 years First molar 6 to 7 years Second molar 12 to 13 years Lower Teeth Eruption of Teeth Central incisor 6 to 7 years Lateral incisor 7 to 8 years Canine 9 to 10 years First premolar 10 to 12 years Second premolar 11 to 12 years First molar 6 to 7 years Second molar 11 to 13 years Third molar (Wisdom Teeth) 17 to 21 years