About stem cell research in dentistry: many doubts and too many pitfalls still affect the regenerative dentistry

Int J Med Sci. 2018 Oct 20;15(14):1616-1618. doi: 10.7150/ijms.27908. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Stem cells (SCs) research is one of the most promising approaches to regenerative medicine. Our understanding of SCs biology and their potential role in tissue repairing has notably increased during the last few years. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in almost all human tissues, including oral and dental tissues (dental-derived stem cells or DDSCs). Despite many doubts and too many pitfalls still affect regenerative dentistry; however, it represents an exciting challenge for the next generations of young dentists. Educating and training in regenerative medicine the new generation of researchers is of utmost importance, albeit often underestimated: regenerative dentistry represents a big opportunity for the next generations of researchers and clinicians, and this review report underlines that dental schools should pay more attention to teachings of strategic subjects, such as cell biology, molecular biology and tissue engineering.

Keywords: dentistry; regenerative medicine; stem cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Technology / methods
  • Biomedical Technology / trends
  • Dentistry / methods*
  • Dentistry / trends
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / trends
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods*
  • Regenerative Medicine / trends
  • Stem Cell Research*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Engineering / trends