Could Stem Cell Technology Replace Dental Implants?
Dental implants may not be the only way to replace missing tooth roots after all.
If you are missing a tooth, it is vital that you replace it, both for the sake of your health and your appearance. Right now, the best option for tooth replacement is dental implants, because only dental implants replace the entire tooth structure, including the root. While advancements in stem cell technology could change this, you can’t afford to wait for this technology to become widely available. You need a replacement tooth now, so you need dental implants from California Dental Group.
Why Replace Missing Teeth
Obviously, a missing tooth is unattractive. Even if the tooth is not visible when you smile, it may show when you laugh or open your mouth wide. Plus, if you are missing several adjacent teeth in the back of your mouth, this can begin to give your face a hollow appearance.
If not properly replaced, missing teeth can also cause complications for your oral health and your overall health. Perhaps the most troubling issue is that without a living tooth root to stimulate the bone, you will begin to lose bone mass in the jaw. This can destabilize neighboring teeth and increase your risk of losing these teeth as well. Tooth replacement options like bridges and partial dentures will not solve this problem—in fact, they may increase your risk of further tooth loss even more, as bacteria can get trapped beneath the appliance and cause decay. You may get an infection that can cause oral bacteria to spread through your blood to other systems of the body, potentially contributing to risk of Alzheimer’s and other health issues.
The Potential of Stem Cell Technology
Researchers have proven that parts of teeth can be regrown using stem cells, leading some to believe that in the future dental implants will be made quite differently. In trials on pigs, one group of researchers were able to use the adult stem cells found in teeth to regrow an entire tooth root. This root was then implanted into the jawbone and topped with a crown.
Though this treatment has not been tested on humans, many believe it is only a matter of time until dentists are able to offer their patients hybrid dental implants. Some companies are already extracting stem cells from baby teeth or wisdom teeth and storing them in tissue banks for this purpose.
Dental Implants Remain the Best Option
Of course, for now dental implants remain the best option for replacing missing teeth. The titanium implant peg used to replace the tooth root can bond with the bone in the jaw to preserve bone mass and create a stable foundation for the crown, and the procedure is actually quite cost-effective, especially compared to the high cost of storing and using stem cells.
If you would like to learn more about getting dental implants, please contact California Dental Group today.
