Precious Cells International (PCI) have opened their central stem cell processing and storage facility at Brunel Science Park, near Uxbridge, London.

PCI is the only family stem cell bank in the world to offer collection, processing and long term storage of stem cells from five different sources in the body: umbilical cord blood and tissue, bone marrow, adipose tissue and teeth.

Stem cells from teeth are found in pulp (DPSCs) and exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). SHED cells have the unique advantage of being retrievable from naturally exfoliated teeth which can be considered a disposable source of postnatal human tissue. Deciduous teeth, healthy wisdom teeth and permanent teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes all contain stem cells that have the ability to develop into many different types of tissue (skin, nerve, muscle, fat, cartilage and tendon) and can potentially be used to replace diseased and damaged tissues in the body without rejection.

Teeth are by far the most natural, non-invasive source of stem cells. There are no medical interventions required and no religious or ethical objections to overcome.

In the near future it is predicted that dentistry will move from restorative to regenerative, as dental stem cells show their capability to regrow teeth, jawbone, and muscle tissue.

PCI now offers dentists the opportunity to become affiliate healthcare professionals in order to offer their patients what could be a life-saving opportunity to preserve precious stem cells and to position the dental practice at the forefront of modern health technology.

Patient educational leaflets explain the opportunity for storing stem cells from teeth and the potential health benefit for the patient or patient's family. Further website support is also available for patients.

Visit www.precious-cells.com or telephone 0845 4755221 for further information.