Tooth regeneration: a revolution in stomatology and evolution in regenerative medicine

Abstract

A tooth is a complex biological organ and consists of multiple tissues including the enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. Tooth loss is the most common organ failure. Can a tooth be regenerated? Can adult stem cells be orchestrated to regenerate tooth structures such as the enamel, dentin, cementum and dental pulp, or even an entire tooth? If not, what are the therapeutically viable sources of stem cells for tooth regeneration? Do stem cells necessarily need to be taken out of the body, and manipulated ex vivo before they are transplanted for tooth regeneration? How can regenerated teeth be economically competitive with dental implants? Would it be possible to make regenerated teeth affordable by a large segment of the population worldwide? This review article explores existing and visionary approaches that address some of the above-mentioned questions. Tooth regeneration represents a revolution in stomatology as a shift in the paradigm from repair to regeneration: repair is by metal or artificial materials whereas regeneration is by biological restoration. Tooth regeneration is an extension of the concepts in the broad field of regenerative medicine to restore a tissue defect to its original form and function by biological substitutes.

Three-Dimensional Printed Multiphase Scaffolds for Regeneration of Periodontium Complex

“…DPSC-seeded scaffolds with empty mS were implanted as control (n = 10). The rationale for delivery of DPSCs, as opposed to PDLSCs or ABSCs, in the present in vivo experiment is that DPSCs have been more thoroughly characterized [41][42][43][44][45] and are readily available in extracted teeth that are currently discarded as medical waste. Following 6-week in vivo implantation, all constructs were retrieved from mice following euthanasia by CO 2 inhalation.…”

“…[41][42][43] Briefly, tooth pulp and PDL samples were minced and digested with collagenase (3 mg/mL) and dispase (4 mg/ mL) for 1 h at 37°C for DPSC and PDLSC isolation, respectively. Mononucleated and adherent cells were isolated by single-cell suspension and passage through a 70-mm strainer (BD).…”

“…Previously, we isolated, expanded, and differentiated DPSCs, PDLSCs, and ABSCs into osteo-/odontoblasitc, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. [41][42][43][44][45] Passage 2-4 DPSCs, PDLSCs, or ABSCs were suspended at a density of 1 · 10 5 cells/scaffold in a neutralized COL-I solution (2 mg/mL). Cell-suspended collagen solution was then infused into scaffold's microchannels and incubated for 1 h at 37°C.…”

Oral and Maxillo-Facial

“…third molars) and the low survival rates of the implanted cells may undermine the effi cacy of the cell-based treatment. Furthermore, other factors such as the availability of autologous stem cells, the excessive costs of cell isolation, handling, storage, shipping and ex vivo manipulation, liability issues if contamination occurs, and potential for transmission of infectious disease are all potential drawbacks to cell transplantation (Inanc and Elcin 2011 ;Yildirim et al 2011 ).…”

Regenerative Endodontics

“…Yildirim S et al regenerated a functional bioroot structure for artificial crown restoration by using allogeneic dental stem cells and Vc-induced cell sheet. 1 Researchers have done successfully functioning tooth in a mouse achieved through the transplantation of bioengineered tooth germ into the alveolar bone. 2 The ability of stem cells in the mouth of American alligators to regenerate teeth in humans is also under research.…”