Application of Stem Cells in Endodontics

Stem cells play a critical role in development and in tissue regeneration. The dental pulp contains a small sub-population of stem cells that are involved in the response of the pulp to caries progression. Specifically, stem cells replace odontoblasts that have undergone cell death as a consequence of the cariogenic challenge. Stem cells also secrete factors that have the potential to enhance pulp vascularisation and provide the oxygen and nutrients required for the dentinogenic response that is typically observed in teeth with deep caries. However, the same angiogenic factors that are required for dentine regeneration may ultimately contribute to the demise of the pulp by enhancing vascular permeability and interstitial pressure. Recent studies focused on the biology of dental pulp stem cells revealed that the multipotency and angiogenic capacity of these cells could be exploited therapeutically in dental pulp tissue engineering. Collectively, these findings suggest new treatment paradigms in the field of endodontics. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential impact of dental pulp stem cells to regenerative endodontics.

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 2007

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the capacity to self-renew. They have been discovered in many adult tissues, including teeth. The Dental Pulp Stem Cells are involved in dentinal repair by activation of growth factors, released after caries process and have the ability to regenerate the dentin-pulp-like complex. The molecular/cellular research raises the possibilities to grow new tissues and biological structures for clinical application, providing cells for therapies including cell transplantation and tissue engineering.

Texila International Journal of Academic Research, 2023

Stem cells, also known as progenitor/precursor cells, have the unique trait of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. Dental stem cells (DSCs) are holding a pivotal role during recent times as they thrive as the cornerstone for the development of cell transplantation therapies that correct periodontal disorders and damaged dentin. DSCs are used therapeutically for different organ systems and numerous diseases, including neurological disorders, diabetes, liver disease, bone tissue engineering, and dentistry. In dentistry, the focus is on predominantly regenerating the pulp and damaged dentin, repairing perforations, and periodontal regenerations. Above all, whole tooth regeneration has been constantly under research. The next decade could be a crucial junction where huge leaps in stem cell-based regenerative therapies could become a reality with successful tissue engineering therapies this could be a biological alternative to synthetic materials that are in use currently. But dental stem cells have their share of challenges for which the research must happen effectively adhering to social responsibilities at all levels. Keywords: Stem cells, Regeneration, Regenerative therapy, SHED.

South Asian Research Journal of Oral and Dental Sciences, 2020

The pulp-dentin complex regenerates the damaged coronal dentin, resorbed root, cervical or apical dentin. Regenerative procedures are to be done with the use of tissue engineering materials, stem cells and suitable biochemical factors that will enhance or replace biological functions. Largely the objective of tissue engineering is the functional restoration of tissue structures. Clinical applications depends on the use of a potential material which would be antiinflammatory, antibacterial and can simultaneously enhance the proliferation and induce the differentiation of the present Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) into odontoblast-like cells leading to dentin formation. Formation of a reparative dentin layer would provide an optimal barrier to avoid any bacteria infiltration to the pulp tissue, which is not provided by any artificial restorative materials. So application of a scaffold on an open pulp enabling odontoblast-like cells to grow into the scaffold and to convert it into dentin would be an ideal goal. Regenerative endodontics comprises research in adult stem cells, growth factors, organ-tissue culture, and tissue engineering materials.

International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2022

Regenerative therapy has been introduced in the literature for a long time and is currently being practiced in different fields, including dentistry and endodontics. Many applications have been reported in the literature for stem cell therapy. However, many complications and adverse events were reported in this context. The present literature review sheds more light on the clinical applications of stem cell therapy in regenerative endodontics and the future perspectives in this field. There are no doubts that there are many questions to be answered despite the huge advances in this field. In response to tissue injury, it has been shown that stem cell therapy can strengthen the efficacy of physiological response to these events and improve tissue regeneration. They can be used for managing cases of reversible pulpitis. Moreover, evidence indicates that they can enhance the revascularization of necrotic pulp tissues. Accordingly, these outcomes can significantly change the perspective...

Dental pulp is a well known tissue enrich of adult mesenchymal stem cells called Dental Pulp Stem cells (DPSc). These adult stem cells play an important role in regenerative medicine both for oral and non oral pathoses with biological properties such as multipotency, high proliferation rates and accessibility. Dental pulp stem cells were primarily derived from the pulp tissues of exfoliated deciduous teeth, primary incisors and permanent third molar teeth. Role of stem cells for hard tissue formation has considerably increased attention of researchers as these cells can be a fascinating source of stable differentiated cells, capable of inducing bone formation and control hydroxyapatite crystal growth. Dental professionals have the opportunity to make their patients aware of these new sources of stem cells that can be stored for future use as new therapies are developed for a range of diseases and injuries.

Odontology, 2011

Stem cells constitute the source of differentiated cells for the generation of tissues during development, and for regeneration of tissues that are diseased or injured postnatally. In recent years, stem cell research has grown exponentially owing to the recognition that stem cell-based therapies have the potential to improve the life of patients with conditions that span from Alzheimer’s disease to

Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, 2014

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a promising source of cells for numerous and varied regenerative medicine applications. Their natural function in the production of odontoblasts to create reparative dentin support applications in dentistry in the regeneration of tooth structures. However, they are also being investigated for the repair of tissues outside of the tooth. The ease of isolation of DPSCs from discarded or removed teeth offers a promising source of autologous cells, and their similarities with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) suggest applications in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. DPSCs are derived from the neural crest and, therefore, have a different developmental origin to BMSCs. These differences from BMSCs in origin and phenotype are being exploited in neurological and other applications. This review briefly highlights the source and functions of DPSCs and then focuses on in vivo applications across the breadth of regenerative medicine. © 2014 The Authors. J...

Journal of Bone Metabolism

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have garnered significant interest in dental research for their unique characteristics and potential in tooth development and regeneration. While there were many studies to define their stem cell-like characteristics and osteogenic differentiation functions that are considered ideal candidates for regenerating damaged dental pulp tissue, how endogenous DPSCs respond to dental pulp injury and supply new dentin-forming cells has not been extensively investigated in vivo. Here, we review the recent progress in identity, function, and regulation of endogenous DPSCs and their clinical potential for pulp injury and regeneration. In addition, we discuss current advances in new mouse models, imaging techniques, and its practical uses and limitations in the analysis of DPSCs in pulp injury and regeneration in vivo.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews, 2009