Hidden Treasures: Wisdom teeth may hold stem cells capable of repairing and regenerating tissues throughout the body. Illustration by the Author © Mariah
Wisdom teeth. Often shrugged off, pulled out, and tossed like medical waste. But what if there’s more to them? Recent studies suggest these little teeth may contain a hidden treasure: dental pulp stem cells, or DPSCs. Cells that can, in the right hands, become many types of tissue.
They’re showing promise in ways that feel almost futuristic, repairing damaged hearts, supporting recovery in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, helping the body heal in diabetes. And here’s the kicker: unlike other stem cell sources, these can be harvested during a routine extraction. No extra surgery. Minimal fuss.
He et al. (2025) point out that DPSCs, and their offshoots, like extracellular vesicles or conditioned media, play a big role in tissue repair and regeneration. The teeth we usually discard might be a personal, storable medicine cabinet, quietly waiting for the day they can help restore health.
And it doesn’t stop at teeth. Umbilical cord stem cells are already being used in places like Colombia and Panamá, knees, hands, Achilles tendons, even parts of the spine. The potential is wide. Really wide.
Thinking differently about “waste” could change medicine. Personal regenerative therapies, tissue repair, disease mitigation, it’s closer than we might think. And it all begins with looking twice at what we once considered worthless.
Reference He, J., Fu, J., Wang, R., Liu, X., Yao, J., Xing, W., Wang, X., & He, Y. (2025). Tissue Repair Mechanisms of Dental Pulp Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Review from Cutaneous Regeneration to Mucosal Healing. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(7), 509. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47070509