FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells with the capacity to become other cells. One way to think of them is as blank cells that be programmed to become or grow into another type of cell might be needed for growth or medical treatment.

Are there different kinds of stem cells? What kind come from teeth?

The types of stem cells located in teeth are called Mesenchymal stem cells. They can be found in several places in the body, but teeth are not only one of the easiest places to extract these types of stem cells, they are also one of the places where Mesenchymal cells are most abundant.

Why save dental stem cells?

Stem cell medical treatments are some of the most advanced healing methods in development today. Stem cells have the potential to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, spinal cord injuries, liver disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and many others. As mention above, teeth are one of the best and most available sources for Mesenchymal stem cells.

Why not wait until I have a need for the stem cells before extracting and storing them?

Young stem cells are simply best. As we age, our body no longer has regular need for stem cells and they start to degrade and disappear. The most viable and useful stem cells will come from a person who still has their “baby teeth” or wisdom teeth.

I’ve banked cord blood for my child. Won’t that provide whatever stem cells we need?

There is great benefit to banking cord blood, but it is not a replacement for dental stem cells. Cord blood provides hematopoietic stem cells, which are used to treated blood and circulatory disorders. Dental mesenchymal stem cells can grow or repair solid tissue, including bone, muscle, or even nerves.

My child’s tooth fell out a couple weeks ago. Can I send it to you for banking?

Unfortunately, dental pulp that is not processed quickly is unlikely to contain many viable stem cells. In fact, even teeth that are still in the mouth but have been loose for a long time may have already started to degrade the stem cells inside, as blood may have stopped flowing to the teeth. We recommend that when a tooth begins to become loose you contact us immediately for a collection kit and schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist to extract the tooth.

What teeth are best for banking?

“Baby” teeth and wisdom teeth both contain the Mesenchymal stem cells. There are benefits to both.

"Baby" or deciduous teeth provide the youngest stem cells. Additionally, “baby” teeth allow earlier access to Mesenchymal stem cells in case they are needed before the wisdom teeth drop.

Wisdom teeth are also a great source when extracted by a dental surgeon, and because of their larger size and the fact that typically 4 teeth are processed once, provide a bigger sample.

We recommend you bank both. For clients who have already banked baby teeth, we will process at a 50% discount and store the additional dental stem cells for free!

Store-A-Tooth FAQ

I was a Store-A-Tooth customer. Why am I now getting bills from NorthEast Cryo/Bio/Science?

NorthEast Cryo/Bio/Science (NECBS) has taken over the storage sample management and customer service/invoicing from Store-A-Tooth for most of their past clients.

I’ve had trouble reaching Provia and/or Store-A-Tooth. Are the samples I banked safe?

First, yes, *ALL* samples banked with Provia and Store-A-Tooth have remained safe and held continuously at cryogenic temperatures. Second, we apologize for the communication and customer service issues that Store-A-Tooth customers have experienced. The past couple of years created unexpected staffing challenges in customer service and invoicing departments for Store-A-Tooth and Provia Labs. To that end, for the benefit of their clients, Provia Labs decided to transition their Store-A-Tooth clients to NECBS to ensure they have the customer service experience they deserve.