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Cell treatment stops teeth from falling out Yomiuri Shimbun Researchers at Nagoya University have found a way to restore decaying bone surrounding the base of teeth, a condition that causes teeth to become loose and fall out. Prof. Minoru Ueda, who heads the team of researchers, said bones can be restored with injections of the patient's own bone marrow and blood platelets. It is the first time decaying bone has been given new life through injections of bone marrow cells. Unlike other procedures, the patient does not need to be hospitalized and there is no risk of rejection. The treatment could be available next year at major hospitals nationwide. Inflammation of the gums is caused by the presence of bacteria in plaque between the teeth and gums. When the gums swell, they cause supporting bones to decay, and people risk losing their teeth. A recent report by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry showed that more than 70 percent of people aged 5 or older suffer from swollen or bleeding gums and other minor oral complaints. Nearly 20 percent of people aged 40 or older suffer from serious cases that result in loss of teeth, the report said. The new treatment could save their teeth. Ueda said bone marrow contains stem cells, which, when combined with the blood platelets, help form bones and then encourage them to grow. The researchers extracted stem cells from the patients, cultivated them, and then mixed them with their blood platelets. They then injected the patients with the substance--along with a ceramic powder to promote calcification. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20010704wo71.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn