Applicability of dental stem cells in tissue regeneration

Abstract

Stem cells can be defined as cells that are able to self-renew and differentiate into various lineages. Because they are obtained from the patient, they do not trigger immunological rejection, respond to growth factors inherent to the host and do not incur ethical and moral limitations. One of the sources of stem cells is the pulp of deciduous teeth, which has the advantage of easy access and the fact that they are not vital organs, since they are usually discarded after exfoliation, causing the stem cells from the pulp to dentistry are attractive for safety tests and therapeutic viability. Loss of teeth and periodontal tissues can result in movement of the remaining teeth, difficulty in chewing, phonation, muscle imbalance, impairment of dental aesthetics and smile, also compromising the individual's self-esteem. There are already several therapies for replacing dental organs, however, all are based on non-biological techniques and subject to failure. The search for mechanisms for the use of stem cells in tissue regeneration and, consequently, in the replacement of oral tissues is constant. The aim of this study is to discuss, through a literature review, the importance of using stem cells in dentistry, elucidating their possible sources in oral tissues, especially with regard to the dental pulp, in addition to their applicability in the various areas of dentistry.