How can dental stem cells be used in dental and craniofacial tissue engineering?
Adult stem cells may be used to regenerate bone and correct craniofacial defects. Both in vitro studies and in vivo research in animal models has shown that tooth-derived adult stem cells can be used to regrow tooth roots in the presence of proper growth factors and a biologically compatible “scaffold.” Regenerative therapy is less invasive than surgical implantation, and early animal studies suggest comparable results in strength and function of the biological implant as compared to a traditional dental implant. Dental stem cells are capable of extensive proliferation and multipotent differentiation, which makes them an important resource of stem cells for the regeneration and repair of craniofacial defects, tooth loss and bone regeneration. Given their ability to produce and secrete neurotrophic factors, SHED cells may also be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and the repair of motoneurons following stroke or injury. Stem cells from third molars release chemi
