Root canal-free life for kids through stem cell technique

Friday December 29, 2006 in: Dental Care Tag(s):

Technorati Tags: teeth, dental care, stem cell, root canal

There are a number of reasons why a visit to the dentist is one of the most dreaded days in a child's life, but a root canal is probably right on top of that list. Indescribably painful, getting a root canal is an experience a person is bound to compare to the most agonizing moments of his or her life.

But thanks to the efforts of Dr. George T.-J. Huang, an endodontist (root canal specialist) and an associate professor with the University of Maryland's College of Dental Surgery, and his team, kids today face the prospect of having a root canal free life. Says Health Central:

In the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Endodontics, his team reviewed four cases of preteen tooth decay treated by Taiwanese dentists who cleaned infected tooth tissue but did not remove it -- leaving pulp stem cells to remain in place. These stem cells went on to help the teeth recover, regenerate, and mature into strong healthy teeth.

The researchers stressed that the stem cells in question are adult stem cells (rather than controversial embryonic stem cells) that all children and adults possess. And the cleaning procedure that they used to replace traditional root canal is based on the application of a bleaching substance, rather than any introduction of externally derived stem cells.

"By leaving the tissue and just removing the infection, we observed in these cases that not only are the gums healed and the children's teeth free from infection and abscesses but, most importantly, there is a stem-cell aided completion of the root formation and tooth maturation over time," Huang said.

Dr. Huang might be a doctor, but for kids everywhere, he might as well be Santa Claus bringing them this wonderful gift.

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