Banking on
Stem Cells
in Teeth

In many tissues, stem cells serve as a type of internal repair system, dividing and maturing to replenish tissues that have been damaged or destroyed by injuries or illnesses.

The role of stem cells play in human biology:

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Stem cells have the amazing potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Stem cells can be divided into two generic groups:

1. Embryonic stem cells
2. Somatic or "adult" stem cells

Although often categorized as either embryonic or adult, they actually represent a continuum of cell types that eventually transform into our "end-product" tissue.

What Is Dental Pulp?

A small mass of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and stem cells located in a chamber within the dentin layer of a tooth (the pulp chamber is found in the crown and the root of the tooth).

With all the emerging potential in tissue engineering applications using mesenchymal stem cells, a child's loose baby tooth can provide first-rate mesenchymal stem cells that can be used in the future for cellular-therapy based applications. Mesenchymal stem cells have shown amazing promise in the potential treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, Type I diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, spinal injury and several others.

In the past, lost or extracted teeth have been viewed as medical waste and discarded, resulting in the loss of this potential life-saving resource. Now you can save these cells through OOTHY's Dental Pulp Stem Cell Banking Program, so that you may have access to them in the future.

• Researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH) discovered stem cells in the pulp chamber of teeth back in 2000.
• Since then, researchers have studied these cells in an attempt to characterize this unique cell population and determine if there are any clinical applications for these cells.
• Over the course of ten years, researchers have shown that the cells found in dental pulp are a type of adult stem cells referred to as mesenchymal stem cells also known as MSCs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to mature into:
  - Bone
  - Muscle
  - Nerve
  - Fat
  - Cartilage

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in teeth are the most widely researched stem cell with the amazing ability to transform into nearly any of the 200 cell types in our bodies.

With over 320,000 scientific publications worldwide, exciting stem cell breakthroughs are happening every day. Time will tell how these cells will be used in regenerative applications because MSCs from Teeth, Bone Marrow, Blood and other sources are being explored in more than 4,600 clinical trials worldwide.

Plus, researchers are learning more every day about using the MSCs stem cells found in teeth for treating a variety of health and age-related conditions like: 

In addition, there are several ongoing studies to determine other potential clinical applications of these cells. The research related to stem cells could eventually lead to therapy that could be used in treating diseases that affects nearly 128 millions of Americans.

The most amazing work with stem cells right now is utilizing them for preventative medicine and to improve overall health, wellness and quality of life. It's no longer about treating conditions, it's about preventing terrible diseases and conditions altogether. For those that store their own cells, these new Cellular Therapies and Regenerative Medicine advancements can pave the way to a future of Health Independence.  

The amazing thing about most stem cells is their ability to hone in on the site of damage. Most stem cells can be administered systemically (intravenous) and they will migrate to the site of injury. Once there, the stem cells will receive chemical "communications" from the cells of the damaged tissue which will cause the stem cells to differentiate into the cells of the damaged tissue to repair said tissue.

Since scientists have shown tremendous potential for dental pulp stem cells in clinical applications, OOTHY has developed procedures for the safe extraction, processing and cryopreservation of these cells, for you, to be used in potential future clinical applications. A process we call Stem Cell Banking 2.0

The tooth should still have a blood supply, meaning the tooth should bleed when removed. If the tooth has been dangling for days, it is most likely not a candidate for viable stem cells. In general, for the stem cells to be viable, the tooth must have at least a third of the root intact.

Once removed, the tooth must immediately be placed in the OOTHY collection bottle to maintain tissue viability and shipped overnight to our laboratory using the prepaid FedEx label and envelope provided with your collection kit.

If the tooth is being extracted by a dentist, simply bring the kit with you and they will follow the directions included in the collection kit. If there are any questions, your dentist's staff can call us at (844) MY-OOTHY. Our phone number is also on the collection bottle.

When a client is enrolled in the service, the client receives a Dental Pulp Collection Kit with the required elements for the collection of the tooth/teeth. The Kit must be stored in a safe place, at room temperature, until the dental appointment. The dentist will be provided instructions in the kit for the procurement of the tooth/teeth.

Once the procurement is complete, the tooth/teeth are sent to our laboratory for processing and cryogenic storage.

The sample must remain at room temperature and must not be refrigerated. Once received at our laboratory, the processing and cryopreservation process begins.

• The dental pulp tissue is extracted from the tooth using stringent procedures developed by our internal team of scientists. This proprietary process ensures cellular viability and adherence to all applicable FDA regulations.
• Once the processing procedure and testing have been completed, a cryoprotectant will be added in order to ensure maximal cellular viability while the cells are under cryogenic conditions (approximately -321 °F / -196 °C).
• The cells are frozen using a stage freezing procedure developed by OOTHY's scientists. This procedure is critical to minimize cellular stress that can be caused by the freezing process.
• Once the freezing stage has been completed, the cells are placed into our long-term cryogenic storage freezers.

OOTHY is committed to excellence in cell processing and cryogenically storing your dental pulp stem cells. Using state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified, laboratory personnel, we ensure the highest quality standard is upheld thus providing the best possible service for our clients.

Our highly qualified laboratory director, who has overseen tens of thousands of processed stem cell units, supervises our laboratory. The laboratory technicians are highly experienced in processing and storing stem cell samples.

Our clients can rest assure that their child's processed dental pulp stem cells will be stored under proper temperatures at all times. Our cryogenic storage devices are video and alarm monitored and backed up by our reliable generators and back up nitrogen tanks in the facility.

Your tooth/teeth should be shipped to our facility immediately after the collection has taken place. All the necessary materials (all the paperwork, medical history and tooth/teeth) needed for the processing of your tooth/teeth will arrive at our laboratory under strict quality-controlled conditions in order to safeguard the dental pulp stem cells.

We process our clients' dental stem cells using a highly validated, proprietary processing procedure developed by our scientists at OOTHY and approved by the FDA.

An important aspect in maintaining viability of the Dental Pulp Tissue throughout the processing and cryopreservation is controlling the rate of freezing and the subsequent sustained cryogenic temperature of the cells once they are in cryogenic storage.

Our laboratory uses a staged freezing process that ensures the tissue's future viability. Once the tissue is brought to the optimum temperature, it is placed in a continuously monitored cryogenic freezer until it is requested for medical use.

Why choose OOTHY?
With more than 16 years of experience, we use state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified personnel for processing and storing stem cells. We ensure the highest quality standards are upheld, thus providing the best possible service for our clients. Our highly qualified laboratory director has overseen tens of thousands of processed cord blood, adipose and dental pulp units, and has also supervised the release of a large number of units for transplant procedures. Our laboratory technicians are highly experienced in processing and storing stem cell tissue samples.

What storage plans do you offer and what are the costs?
Based on parents feedback, we offer a 20-year stem cell collection/ storage plan that allows all parents to get started for free without upfront fees or setup fees.  

We don't offer shorter-term plans. Why is this?

Parents of OOTHY realize the investment in tooth banking is a long-term one. And unlike banking stem cells from cord blood, the mesenchymal stem cells in teeth can be expanded and used for a lifetime. Therefore, purchasing a short-term plan would be more expensive and defeat the purpose of investing in the first place. 

We're proud of our internationally recognized stem cell collection process, and offer a flexible and long-term storage plan to invest in the future uses of stem cells.

Our plans allow parents to have their child's stem cells on hand as an insurance policy, and their own biological pharmacy "on demand" for regenerative and longevity benefits.

To learn more schedule a call with us.

If I banked my child's cord blood, should I also bank their dental stem cells?
Stem cells from cord blood are used in the treatment of childhood diseases such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and lymphoma, to help replenish the patient’s blood supply with healthy new cells. Dental Stem Cells may have the potential to be transformed into other cells including cardiac, muscle, bone, cartilage, nerve, and fat tissue.

How many teeth should I bank?
The good news is, it is possible to use the tissue from one tooth more than once. Of course, this will depend on the original sample size and the intended medical use. Storing multiple teeth is not a bad idea because of the uncertainty of how many cells will be needed in the future, and the multiple regenerative uses that will be available.

You can send up to four of your child's teeth at the same time at no additional cost. This is typically the case with Wisdom teeth extractions. Otherwise, the majority of people send one tooth at a time.

Can I give OOTHY as a gift?
Absolutely! What better gift than their future health independence. When checking out, please indicate where you would like the collection kit mailed.

What are researchers currently studying?

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in teeth are the most widely researched stem cell with the amazing ability to transform into nearly any of the 200 cell types in our bodies.

With over 320,000 scientific publications worldwide, exciting stem cell breakthroughs are happening every day. Time will tell how these cells will be used in regenerative applications because MSCs from Teeth, Bone Marrow, Blood and other sources are being explored in more than 4,600 clinical trials worldwide.

Plus, researchers are learning more every day about using the MSCs stem cells found in teeth for treating a variety of health and age-related conditions like: 

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Spinal cord injury
• Crohn’s Disease
• Stroke
• Tissue/wound healing
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Corneal damage
• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Bone loss

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/…

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results…

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Can I store just one child's tooth for the whole family?
No. Each family member has different cells, therefore they will not be an immunological match (unless they are identical twins). Each child should have their own stem cells banked.

Why should I store my child’s stem cells now?
There are many reasons why storing your child’s Dental Stem Cells early in life is important.
By storing teeth that are coming out in a non-invasive manner, you are avoiding painful or intrusive procedures in the future.

Secondly, it’s best to bank your child’s teeth when they are as young as possible because the quality and quantity of the stem cells are superior. Storing your child’s stem cells is easy and could be a possible life-saving resource for them later in life. In addition to defending against terrible diseases, a more likely use will be to take advantage of the many emerging personalized cellular therapies to improve wellness, immunity and prevent health problems before they start.

How do I get started?
Getting started is easy. Once you choose a plan that works best for you, the OOTHY Dental Pulp Collection kit will be mailed out immediately. Follow the instructions in the kit. Please note, the sample must remain at room temperature and not be refrigerated. The collection bottle contains a solution that will help maintain the tissue viability until the tooth arrives at our laboratory.

My child's tooth is loose, can I collect the tooth at home?
Yes. But, it’s important the tooth has a blood supply, meaning the tooth should bleed when removed. If the tooth has been dangling for days, it is most likely not a candidate for viable stem cells. In order for the stem cells to be viable, the tooth must have at least a third of the root intact. The tooth must immediately be placed in the collection bottle to maintain tissue viability and shipped using the prepaid FedEx label and envelope provided with your collection kit.

My dentist will be extracting the tooth, what do I need to tell them?
First, make sure to bring the collection kit with you. The process is simple, and directions are included in the collection kit. Once the dentist has extracted the tooth/teeth, they will place them in the glass collection bottle. FedEx will pick up the kit for overnight shipping back to our laboratory. If there are any questions, your dentist's staff can call us at (844) MY-OOTHY. Our phone number is also on the collection bottle.  

What are the best teeth to store?
Any of the 20 baby teeth that fall out naturally or need to be removed for various orthodontic purposes. The best rule of thumb is the younger the stem cells, the better they are! 

Do wisdom teeth have stem cells?

Absolutely! Wisdom teeth are also a valuable source of stem cells. Your wisdom teeth are usually the only healthy adult teeth that will be removed in your lifetime that contain abundant stores of stem cells, making this the perfect opportunity for banking. Plus, most people remove more than one wisdom tooth at a time so you can harvest stem cells from up to 4 teeth at once for the same price.

What if there the dental pulp from my child's tooth is not viable?
This is not common, but if a loose tooth is not removed promptly or shipped to our lab right away, this can affect the integrity of the tissue and the regenerative cells it contains. The key components to maximize tissue viability is Time, Temperature and Pressure. Time: Remove a loose tooth quickly and insert it into the glass tooth collection bottle immediately. Temperature: Keep the tooth at room temperature. Pressure: Avoid exposure to high or low-pressure environments that can put extra stress on the tooth.

In the event we do not get a valid sample, we will process another tooth for you at no extra charge. If you don’t have another tooth to send us, we will refund all of your money. If it is determined that the tooth collection process was not followed properly, there is a fee of $100 to offset some of the costs associated with transporting and processing the tissue.

What happens once the dental pulp kit is received at the lab for processing?

• The pulp tissue is extracted from the tooth using stringent procedures developed by our lab’s scientists to ensure tissue viability and adherence to all applicable FDA regulations.
• Once the processing procedures and testing have been completed, a cryoprotectant will be added in order to ensure maximal tissue viability while it's stored under cryogenic conditions (approximately -321 °F/-196 °C).
• The tissue is frozen using a stage freezing procedure developed by our lab’s scientists, in order to minimize tissue/ cellular stress caused by the freezing process.
• Once the freezing stage has been completed, the dental pulp tissue is placed into our long-term cryogenic storage freezers. 

We follow the regulatory consideration for human cells/ tissue-based products on “minimal manipulation.” As per the FDA “Processing that alters the original characteristics of the HCT/P, raises increased safety and effectiveness concerns for the HCT/P because there would be less basis on which to predict product’s function after transplantation.” Culturing the cells, or performing an enzymatic digestion to isolate the cells from the tissue does not fall under the minimal manipulation guideline.

How long can stem cells be stored?
Research indicates that stem cells can be stored cryogenically for an indefinite period of time.

What security systems are in place to protect my child's information and storage?
Our laboratory is FDA registered and inspected. We are HIPAA compliant, and each specimen is assigned two unique identification numbers. Our cryogenic storage devices are connected to a video-monitored alarm system, and are also backed up by our reliable generators and back up nitrogen tanks to ensure your stem cells are safe and secure. Our clients can rest assured that their stem cells will be stored under proper temperatures at all times.

In addition to our own quality assurance and security protocols, we are also located less than one mile from the United States Department of Defense Southern Command Center.

Is Dental Stem Cell banking covered by insurance?
Not at this time. It could be paid for using a Health Savings Account.

What do I do if I need access to the stem cells?
Please contact us and our laboratory team will work with you and your healthcare provider to properly process and deliver the sample to your requested facility.

Isn’t storing stem cells betting against future scientific advances?
Not at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Incredible breakthroughs are happening now, and there are many to come. But our own ‘real’ stem cells are going to be the unfair advantage to harness many of these advances. Future stem cell advances may even be available to the masses, but the difference is others may need to settle for less natural and less personalized solutions.

What if I live outside of the US?
We currently provide service to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America. If you live in another area please send us a message and we'll let you know when we can service your location.