Dental pulp stem cells for reconstructing bone defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Alveolar ridge bone reconstruction for dental implants presents significant challenges.
• Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) offer a promising avenue for future bone regeneration therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of DPSCs in promoting bone regeneration for dental applications.
• To systematically review and meta-analyze existing preclinical studies on DPSC-mediated bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases up to April 21, 2022.
• Inclusion criteria focused on in vivo studies reporting quantitative data on new bone volume and area.
• Study quality was assessed using Cochrane's checklist, with 23 studies ultimately included.

Main Results:

• Meta-analysis of 70 studies showed DPSCs significantly improved new bone area (SMD=2.40, P<0.00001).
• Meta-analysis of 14 studies demonstrated DPSCs significantly increased new bone volume (SMD=1.85, P=0.0003).
• Both analyses indicated a statistically significant positive influence on bone tissue regeneration compared to control groups.

Conclusions:

• DPSCs demonstrate a significant positive impact on complex bone tissue regeneration in preclinical studies.
• Further diverse preclinical research is needed to facilitate more robust meta-analyses and clinical translation.