Harvesting stem cells from wisdom teeth

ABC 10 News

24 Apr 201901:55

Summary

TLDRA 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.

Outlines

00:00

🦷 Stem Cell Harvesting from Wisdom Teeth

This paragraph discusses a unique medical procedure where a San Diego teenager, Angela Nada Tate, is opting to have her wisdom teeth removed with the additional step of extracting stem cells from them for potential future medical use. The procedure is performed by Dr. Shelton, who places the teeth in a special medium for processing at a lab. Angela's aunt, her legal guardian, is motivated by the family's history with cancer, including the recent loss of Angela's father to a parotid gland tumor. The stem cells, contained within the pulp of the wisdom teeth, are specific to Angela and could provide a personalized treatment option if needed. The initial cost for this procedure is around two thousand dollars, with an ongoing storage fee of twenty dollars per month.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They are a key concept in the video as they are extracted from wisdom teeth for potential future medical use. The script mentions the possibility of these cells being used for a 'life-saving cure,' highlighting their importance in regenerative medicine.

💡Oral Surgeon

An oral surgeon is a dental specialist who performs surgical procedures in the oral and maxillofacial region, including the extraction of wisdom teeth. In the context of the video, the oral surgeon, Dr. Shelton, is not only removing wisdom teeth but also facilitating the process of stem cell harvesting, which is central to the video's narrative.

💡Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop and emerge in the mouth. The video discusses the extraction of wisdom teeth as a routine procedure but with an additional step of harvesting stem cells from them, emphasizing their utility beyond just dental care.

💡Cancer

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. The video script discusses the potential of stem cells harvested from wisdom teeth to be used in fighting cancer, given the family history of the patient, Angela. It underscores the preventive and therapeutic potential of stem cell banking.

💡Stem Cell Banking

Stem cell banking refers to the process of storing stem cells for potential future use, typically in medical treatments. The video mentions the initial fee and monthly cost associated with banking wisdom teeth stem cells, indicating the practical considerations of this process.

💡Family History

Family history is a reference to the medical background of an individual's relatives, which can be a factor in assessing health risks. Angela's family history of cancer, including her father and uncle, is mentioned as a reason for considering stem cell banking, showing the personal relevance of medical decisions.

💡Parotid Gland

The parotid gland is one of the major salivary glands located in front of the ear and near the angle of the jaw. The script mentions a tumor on Angela's father's parotid gland, which is an example of how specific health conditions can motivate the consideration of stem cell banking.

💡Legal Guardian

A legal guardian is someone who has the legal authority and duty to care for and make decisions for someone who is unable to do so for themselves, such as a minor. Angela's aunt, as her legal guardian, is making decisions about her medical care, including the option of stem cell banking.

💡Pulp

In the context of teeth, the pulp is the soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The script specifies that stem cells are found within the pulp of wisdom teeth, which is where they are harvested from during the extraction process.

💡Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found in the cavities of bones, which is rich in stem cells. The video script compares wisdom teeth to bone marrow in terms of stem cell content, highlighting the abundance of stem cells in both sources.

💡Cost

The cost associated with a medical procedure or service is a critical factor for many patients. The video script provides specific figures for the initial fee and monthly cost of banking wisdom teeth stem cells, which is important information for viewers considering this option.

Highlights

A San Diego teenager is considering stem cell harvesting from wisdom teeth as a preventative measure against potential future cancer.

Tennis reporter Mackenzie Minard explains the process and potential benefits of stem cell extraction from wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth extraction can be combined with stem cell harvesting for future medical use.

Dr. Shelton, an oral surgeon, is involved in the procedure of removing wisdom teeth and harvesting stem cells.

The harvested wisdom teeth are placed in a special medium before being sent to a lab for stem cell processing.

Angela nada Tate, a 14-year-old, is the patient undergoing this procedure with a focus on stem cell harvesting.

Angela's aunt, her legal guardian, is motivated by the family history of cancer to consider stem cell banking.

Angela's father and uncle both passed away due to cancer, making the option of stem cell banking particularly relevant.

The aunt believes that having stem cells available could have potentially prolonged the life of Angela's uncle.

Wisdom teeth are rich in stem cells, which are similar to those found in bone marrow and fat cells.

Stem cells from wisdom teeth are specific to the individual and can work at the individual's body rate.

The stem cells reside within the pulp of the wisdom tooth, which is the dark part of the tooth.

The potential of these stem cells is that they could provide a life-saving cure in the future.

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

There is an additional monthly cost of twenty dollars for the ongoing storage of the stem cells.

The concept of using discarded wisdom teeth for valuable stem cells presents an innovative approach to healthcare.