Dentist to perform concentrated stem cell transplant for dental implant procedure

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, California--Jason Morgan needs a dental implant to restore his infectious grin, but to attach an implant would be difficult due to a lack of strong, healthy bone in his jaw.

Dr. Ivan Ho, a Southern California-based dentist and founder of Platinum Dental, will make Morgan's wish come true through the application of concentrated stem cell transplant technology.

Dr. Ho will harvest and transplant stem cells from the patient's bone marrow into the jawbone to create a dense bone structure to which a dental implant can be permanently set.

The outpatient procedure called Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentration will take place March 23, 2009, at Platinum Dental in Rancho Santa Margarita. Used for many years by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to generate bone for procedures such as spinal and tibia fusions, Dr. Ho will apply the stem cell transplant procedure to dental applications to provide an option for patients who may not have previously been candidates for a tooth implant because of poor jawbone density.

This is a minimally invasive and relatively painless outpatient procedure that takes between one and three hours to perform. It should provide faster healing, less pain, and better results than other implant procedures.

"This minimally invasive procedure is an innovative, advanced long-term alternative to existing tooth replacement options such as dentures, bridges, and even traditional bone grafting procedures," explained Dr. Ho.

"In addition to providing better and faster healing, the transplantation of the patient's own stem cells enables the body to increase bone growth in the jaw through Angiogenesis to permanently support the dental implant. Because the use of dentures and bridges carry a high risk of problems in many cases resulting in gum disease, tooth decay and the loss of viable teeth, additional costly surgical procedures are necessary, where dental implants are the most natural solution and provide the best long-term results."

The process involves the harvesting of stem cells through a small incision in the hip bone the morning of the procedure. Using a centrifuge, Dr. Ho will isolate and concentrate the stem cells from the plasma and transplant them into Morgan's jaw and will then add an allograft.

For more information about Platinum Dental, visit the company's Web site at Platinum Dental.

To read more about stem cells, go to stem cells.

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