What and where are the stem cells for Dentistry?

Area of Science:

• Dental science
• Regenerative medicine
• Tissue engineering

Background:

• Current endodontic and periodontal disease management relies on infection control and tissue replacement with inert materials.
• Despite advancements in materials and techniques, fundamental clinical approaches for endodontic and periodontal diseases have seen limited change.
• Tissue engineering offers a multidisciplinary approach to regenerate or replace damaged biological tissues and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an overview of stem cell applications in endodontic and periodontal tissue regeneration.
• To discuss the current status and future challenges in utilizing stem cells for dental tissue regeneration.
• To clarify concepts related to stem cells, scaffolds, and signaling pathways in regenerative dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on tissue engineering and stem cell applications in dentistry.
• Analysis of the transition of scientific terminology (scaffolds, signaling pathways, stem cells) into clinical language.
• Discussion of potential misinterpretations and overexcitement regarding stem cell therapies.

Main Results:

• Stem cell terminology is increasingly recognized by students, educators, clinicians, and patients.
• There is a need to manage expectations regarding the current capabilities and future potential of stem cell therapies in dentistry.
• The paper provides a panorama of stem cell applications for endodontic and periodontal regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Stem cell-based therapies hold promise for advancing endodontic and periodontal regeneration beyond conventional treatments.
• Addressing conceptual unfamiliarity and managing expectations are crucial for the successful integration of stem cells in clinical practice.
• Further research and development are necessary to overcome challenges and realize the full potential of stem cells in regenerative dentistry.