Harvesting stem cells from wisdom teeth

Summary

A San Diego teenager, Angela, is opting to have her wisdom teeth extracted not just for the usual reasons but to harvest stem cells that could potentially save her life in the future. Her decision is influenced by her family's history with cancer. The extracted teeth, rich in stem cells, are placed in a special medium and sent to a lab for processing. These stem cells, specific to Angela, could offer a personalized life-saving cure one day. The initial cost for this procedure is around $2,000, followed by a monthly fee of $20 for storage.

Takeaways

• 🦷 A San Diego teenager is considering stem cell extraction from her wisdom teeth as a preventative measure against potential future cancer.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Shelton, an oral surgeon, is performing the wisdom teeth extraction and will handle the process of stem cell harvesting.
• 🧪 The extracted wisdom teeth will be placed in a special medium and sent to a lab for stem cell processing.
• 👨‍👧 Angela's aunt, who is her legal guardian, is supportive of the stem cell extraction due to the family's history with cancer.
• 🧬 The family history includes Angela's father, who passed away after battling a tumor, and her uncle, who also lost his fight with cancer.
• 💡 The idea to bank stem cells came from a consultation with Dr. Shelton, indicating it as a potential life-saving measure.
• 🌱 Wisdom teeth are rich in stem cells, which are similar to those found in bone marrow and fat cells.
• 📍 Stem cells are located within the pulp of the wisdom tooth, which is the dark part at the center.
• 🔑 These stem cells are specific to the individual, working at the rate of the person's body, and could provide personalized treatment.
• 💰 The initial cost for banking wisdom teeth stem cells is around two thousand dollars, with a monthly storage fee of about twenty dollars.
• 📝 The report by Mackenzie Maynard for 10 News highlights the innovative use of wisdom teeth for potential future medical treatments.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the script?

The script discusses the possibility of extracting stem cells from wisdom teeth as a preventive measure against potential future health issues, such as cancer.

Who is the main subject of the script?

The main subject is a 14-year-old girl named Angela nada Tate who is considering stem cell extraction from her wisdom teeth.

What is the role of Dr. Shelton in the script?

Dr. Shelton is the oral surgeon who will perform the wisdom teeth extraction and guide Angela and her aunt through the process of stem cell harvesting.

Why is Angela considering stem cell extraction from her wisdom teeth?

Angela is considering stem cell extraction due to her family history of cancer, including her father and uncle who both passed away from the disease.

What is the aunt's perspective on stem cell extraction for Angela?

The aunt, who is Angela's legal guardian, believes it would be wise to harvest stem cells from Angela's wisdom teeth as a precautionary measure.

What are the benefits of wisdom teeth stem cells according to the script?

Wisdom teeth stem cells are rich in stem cells similar to bone marrow and fat cells, and they are specific to the individual, which means they could potentially provide a personalized life-saving cure.

Where are the stem cells located within the wisdom tooth?

The stem cells are located within the pulp, the dark part of the wisdom tooth.

What is the initial cost associated with banking wisdom teeth for stem cells?

The initial fee for banking wisdom teeth for stem cells is about two thousand dollars.

What is the ongoing cost for maintaining the banked stem cells?

The ongoing cost for maintaining the banked stem cells is about twenty dollars a month.

What does the script suggest about the potential of stem cell therapy?

The script suggests that stem cell therapy has the potential to be a life-saving treatment, and banking stem cells from wisdom teeth can be a proactive step for individuals with a family history of cancer.

How does the script describe the process of extracting wisdom teeth for stem cells?

The script describes the process as similar to a normal wisdom teeth extraction, with the addition of placing the teeth in a special medium and sending them to a lab for stem cell processing.