Stem cells in dentistry

What is it about?

Have you ever thought that root canal treatment or tooth extraction could be a reversible procedure? Can you imagine the possibility of regenerating tooth pulp or even whole teeth? Researchers are trying to find ways to make this possible and, along with new advances in stem cell research, this is leading to rapid developments in regenerative dentistry and medicine. In the not- too-distant future, clinicians could potentially use stem cell therapy to treat caries or bone loss. But what about the source of suitable stem cells? Fortunately, there is one particular source to consider – dental pulp stem cells. The possibility of cryopreserving exfoliated deciduous teeth or extirpated pulp tissue for use in non-conservative dental procedures would be a major breakthrough. Using a patients’ own cryopreserved pulpal stem cells to regenerate dental or alveolar tissues: pulp fiction or reality?

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Why is it important?

Whole-tooth regeneration is also an immense clinical challenge. Obtaining mature and anatomically correct teeth from biogenerated tooth germs is still a long way off, both functionally and aesthetically, with long periods of genesis. As such, conventional approaches for tooth replacement are still preferred.

Perspectives