R evi e w A r tic le

Current overview on dental stem cells applications

in regenerative dentistry
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Sehora, Jammu
and Kashmir, 1Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India
Ramta Bansal,
Aditya Jain1 Address for correspondence:
Dr. Aditya Jain, House No. 13, Khalsa College Colony, Patiala, Punjab, India.
E-mail: dr_aditya82@rediffmail.com

Abstract
Teeth are the most natural, noninvasive source of stem cells. Dental stem cells, which are easy, convenient, and affordable to
collect, hold promise for a range of very potential therapeutic applications. We have reviewed the ever-growing literature on
dental stem cells archived in Medline using the following key words: Regenerative dentistry, dental stem cells, dental stem cells
banking, and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. Relevant articles covering topics related to dental stem cells
were shortlisted and the facts are compiled. The objective of this review article is to discuss the history of stem cells, different
stem cells relevant for dentistry, their isolation approaches, collection, and preservation of dental stem cells along with the current
status of dental and medical applications.

Key words: Cell culture techniques, stem cells, stem cell research, tissue banks, tissue engineering

INTRODUCTION for research were “regenerative dentistry” (128 articles

found), “dental stem cells” (111 articles found), “dental
Regenerative capacity of the dental pulp is well-known and stem cells banking” (2 articles found), “stem cells from
has been recently attributed to function of dental stem human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED)” (11 articles
cells. Dental stem cells offer a very promising therapeutic found). For each heading in the review, relevant articles
approach to restore structural defects and this concept is were chosen and arranged in chronological order of
extensively explored by several researchers, which is evident publication date so as to follow the development of the
by the rapidly growing literature in this field. For this review research topic. This review screened about 250 articles to
article a literature research covering topics related to dental get the required knowledge update. Relevant data were then
stem cells was made and the facts are compiled. compiled with aim of providing basic information as well
as latest updates on dental stem cells.
METHODS
HISTORY OF STEM CELLS
A web-based research on Medline (www.pubmed.gov)
was done. To limit our research to relevant articles, the Stem cells also known as “progenitor or precursor” cells are
search was filtered using terms review, published in the defined as clonogenic cells capable of both self-renewal and
last 10 years and dental journals. Various keywords used multi-lineage differentiation.[1] In 1868, the term “stem cell”
for the first time appeared in the works of German biologist
Haeckel.[2] Wilson coined the term stem cell.[3] In 1908, Russian
Access this article online
histologist, Alexander Maksimov, postulated existence of
Quick Response Code:
Website: hematopoietic stem cells at congress of hematologic society in
www.jnsbm.org Berlin.[4] There term “stem cell” was proposed for scientific use.

DOI:
Stem cells have manifold applications and have contributed
10.4103/0976-9668.149074 to the establishment of regenerative medicine. Regenerative
medicine is the process of replacing or regenerating human

29 Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1
 Bansal and Jain: Dental stem cells

cells, tissues or organs for therapeutic applications.[5] The pulp.[19] DPSCs have osteogenic and chondrogenic potential
concept of regeneration in the medical field although in vitro and can differentiate into dentin, in vivo and also
not new has significantly advanced post the discovery of differentiate into dentin-pulp-like complex.[7] Recently,
stem cells and in recent times have found its application immature dental pulp stem cells[20] were identified which
in dentistry following identification of dental stem cells. are a pluripotent sub-population of DPSC generated using
Although, the concept of tooth regeneration was initially dental pulp organ culture.
not accepted the ground-breaking work by stomatologist
G. L. Feldman (1932) showed evidence of regeneration DPSCs are putative candidate for dental tissue engineering
of dental pulp under certain optimal biological conditions. due to:[21]
This work introduced the biological-aseptic principle a. Easy surgical access to the collection site and very low
of tooth therapy to achieve pulp regeneration using morbidity after extraction of the dental pulp.
dentine fillings as building material for stimulating pulp b. DPSCs can generate much more typical dentin tissues
regeneration.[6] Nevertheless subsequent researchers further within a short period than nondental stem cells.
improved this work.[6] Major breakthrough in dental history c. Can be safely cryopreserved and recombined with
was achieved in year 2000 when Gronthos et al. identified many scaffolds.
and isolated odontogenic progenitor population in adult d. Possess immuno-privilege and anti-inflammatory abilities
dental pulp.[7] These cells were referred to as dental pulp favorable for the allotransplantation experiments.
stem cells (DPSCs). Since this discovery several researchers
have reported varieties of dental stem cells, which are Identification of dental pulp stem cells
described below: Four commonly used stem cell identification techniques[22] are:
1. Fluorescent antibody cell sorting: Stem cells can be
identified and isolated from mixed cell populations by
DENTAL STEM CELLS staining the cells with specific antibody markers and
using a flow cytometer.
Human dental stem cells that have been isolated and 2. Immunomagnetic bead selection.
characterized are: 3. Immunohistochemical staining.
1. DPSCs.[7] 4. Physiological and histological criteria, including
2. SHED.[8] phenotype, proliferation, chemotaxis, mineralizing
3. Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP).[9,10] activity and differentiation.
4. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).[11]
Isolation approaches of dental pulp stem cells
Stem cells from various sources and their features studied Various conventional methods to isolate stem cells from
by various researchers are presented in Table 1.[7,8,11-18] dental pulp are listed below:

Dental pulp stem cells Size-sieved isolation

DPSCs are mesenchymal type of stem cells inside dental Enzymatic digestion of whole dental pulp tissue in solution

Table 1: Stem cells and their features studied by various researchers (at full page width)
Researcher Results
Gronthos et al.[7] DPSCs have the potential to form dense calcified nodules
Shi et al.[12] DPSCs are located predominantly in perivascular area of pulpal cavity
Murray and Smith et al.[13] Some reduction in pulpal cell numbers occur including the subodontoblastic cells with ageing
Laino et al.[14] Stem cells can also be derived from human adult (aged 30–45 years) dental pulp
Zhang et al.[15] DPSCs maintain their stem cell properties even after cryopreservation
Miura et al.[8] SHED were reported to have higher proliferation rate and higher population doublings. SHED are capable of
differentiating into various cell types including neural cells, adipocytes and odontoblasts
Cordeiro[16] Both DPSCs and SHED are capable of regenerating pulp and dentin
Koyama et al.[17] DPSCs and SHED are pluripotent cells. These cells expanded in vitro and differentiated into asteoblasts.
Chondrocytes and adipocytes
Gould et al.[18] Periodontium contains progenitor cells that can migrate and differentiate into either cementoblasts or
osteoblasts
Seo et al.[11] PDLSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers STRO-1 and C0146/MUC18. PDLSCs differentiated into
cementoblast like cells adipocytes and collagen-forming cells. In mice they generated cementum/periodontal
like structure. They form sparse calcified nodules as compared to DPSCs
DPSCs: Dental pulp stem cells, SHED: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, PDLSCs: Periodontal ligament stem cells

Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1 30
 Bansal and Jain: Dental stem cells

of 3% collagenase Type I for 1 h at 37°C is done. Through Advantages of banking SHED cells [25] include: It’s a simple
process of filtering and seeding, cells with diameter painless technique to isolate them and being an autologous
between 3 and 20 μm are obtained for further culture and transplant they don’t possess any risk of immune reaction
amplification. Based on this approach, small-sized cell or tissue rejection and hence immunosuppressive therapy is
populations containing a high percent of stem cells can not required. SHED may also be useful for close relatives
be isolated. of the donor such as grandparents, parents and siblings.
Apart from these, SHED banking is more economical
Stem cell colony cultivation when compared to cord blood and may be complementary
Enzymatic digestion of the dental pulp tissue is done to to cord cell banking. The most important of all these cells
prepare single cell suspension cells of which are used for
are not subjected to same ethical concerns as embryonic
colony formation containing 50 or more cells that is further
stem cells.
amplified for experiments.
Collection, isolation, and preservation of stem cells from
Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)
human exfoliated deciduous teeth
Is an immune-magnetic method used for separation of
stem cell populations based on their surface antigens
Step 1: Tooth collection
(CD271, STRO-1, CD34, CD45, and c-Kit). MACS is
technically simple, inexpensive and capable of handling
Freshly-extracted tooth is transferred into vial containing
large numbers of cells but the degree of stem cell purity
hypotonic phosphate buffered saline solution (up to
is low.
four teeth in one vial). Vial is then carefully sealed and
Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) placed into thermette, after which the carrier is placed
Is convenient and efficient method that can effectively into an insulated metal transport vessel. Thermette along
isolate stem cells from cell suspension based on cell size and with insulated transport vessel maintains the sample in a
fluorescence. Demerits of this technique are a requirement hypothermic state during transportation. This procedure
of expensive equipment, highly-skilled personnel, is described as sustentation. The time from harvesting to
decreased viability of FACS-sorted cells and this method arrival at processing storage facility should not exceed 40 h.
is not appropriate for processing bulk quantities of cells.
Step 2: Stem cell isolation
Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth
Dr. Songtao Shi discovered SHED in 2003. Miura et al.[8] Tooth surface is cleaned by washing three times with
confirmed that SHED were able to differentiate into Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline without Ca2+ and
a variety of cell types to a greater extent than DPSCs, Mg2+. Disinfection is done and again washed with PBSA.
including osteoblast-like, odontoblast-like cells, adipocytes, Pulp tissue is isolated from the pulp chamber and is placed
and neural cells. Abbas et al. [23] investigated the possible in a sterile petri dish, washed at least three times with PBSA.
neural crest origin of SHED. The main task of these cells The tissue digestion is done with collagenase Type I and
seems to be the formation of mineralized tissue, which can dispase for 1 h at 37°C. Isolated cells are passed through a
be used to enhance orofacial bone regeneration. 70 um filter to obtain single cell suspensions. Then the cells
are cultured in a MSC medium. Usually isolated colonies
Types of stem cells present in human exfoliated deciduous are visible after 24 h.
teeth are
Step 3: Stem cell storage.
1. Adipocytes: Can be used to treat various spine and
orthopedic conditions, Crohn’s disease, cardiovascular The approaches used for stem cell storage are: (a)
diseases and may also be useful in plastic surgery.[24] Cryopreservation (b) magnetic freezing.
2. Chondrocytes and osteoblasts: Have been used to grow
intact teeth in animals.[8] Cryopreservation
3. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): Have successfully been It is the process of preserving cells or whole tissues by
used to repair spinal cord injury and to restore feeling cooling them to sub-zero temperatures. Cells harvested
and movement in paralyzed human patients. They can near end of log phase growth (approximately. 80–90%
also be used to treat neuronal degenerative disorders confluent) are best for cryopreservation. Liquid nitrogen
such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s vapour is used to preserve cells at a temperature of
disease, and other such disorders. MSCs have better <−150°C. In a vial 1.5 ml of freezing medium is optimum
curative potential than other type of adult stem cells.[8] for 1–2 × 106 cells.

31 Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1
 Bansal and Jain: Dental stem cells

Magnetic freezing with the surrounding bone.[28] Trubiani et al.[29] suggested

This technology is referred to as cells alive system (CAS), that PDLSCs had regenerative potential when seeded onto
which works on principle of applying a weak magnetic three dimensional biocompatible scaffold, thus encouraging
field to water or cell tissue which will lower the freezing their use in graft biomaterials for bone tissue engineering
point of that body by up to 6–7°C. Using CAS, Hiroshima in regenerative dentistry, whereas Li et al.[30] have reported
University (first proposed this technology) claims that it cementum and periodontal ligament-like tissue formation
can increase the cell survival rate in teeth to 83%. CAS when PDLSCs are seeded on bioengineered dentin.
system is a lot cheaper than cryogenics and more reliable.

Criteria of tooth eligibility for stem cells from human TOOTH STEM CELL BANKING
exfoliated deciduous teeth banking
Primary incisors and canines with no pathology and at Although tooth banking is currently not very popular
least one third of root left can be used for SHED banking. the trend is gaining acceptance mainly in the developed
Primary molar roots are not recommended for sampling countries. BioEden (Austin, Texas, USA), has international
as they take longer time to resorb, which may result in an laboratories in UK (serving Europe) and Thailand (serving
obliterated pulp chamber that contains no pulp, and thus, South East Asia) with global expansion plans. Stem
cell banking companies like Store –A- Tooth (Provia
no stem cells.[26] However in some cases where deciduous
Laboratories, Littleton, Massachusetts, USA) and StemSave
molars are removed early for orthodontic reasons, it may
(Stemsave Inc, New York, USA) are also expanding their
present an opportunity to use these teeth for stem cell
horizon internationally. In Japan, the first tooth bank was
banking.
established in Hiroshima University and the company
Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) was named as “Three Brackets” (Suri Buraketto) in 2005.
MSCs residing in the apical papilla of permanent teeth with Nagoya University (Kyodo, Japan) also came up with a tooth
immature roots are known as SCAP. These were discovered bank in 2007. Taipei Medical University in collaboration
by Sonoyama et al. [9] SCAP are capable of forming with Hiroshima University opened the nation’s first tooth
odontoblast-like cells, producing dentin in vivo, and are likely bank in September, 2008. The Norwegian Tooth Bank (a
cell source of primary odontoblasts for the formation of collaborative project between the Norwegian Institute of
root dentin. SCAP supports apexogenesis, which can occur Public Health and the University of Bergen) set up in 2008
in infected immature permanent teeth with periradicular is collecting exfoliated primary teeth from 1,00,000 children
periodontitis or abscess. SCAP residing in the apical papilla in Norway. Not last but the least, Stemade introduced the
survive such pulp necrosis because of their proximity to the concept of dental stem cells banking in India recently by
periapical tissue vasculature. Hence even after endodontic launching its operations in Mumbai and Delhi.
disinfection, SCAP can generate primary odontoblasts,
which complete root formation under the influence of the POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS IN DENTISTRY
surviving epithelial root sheath of Hertwig. [9]
Most research is directed toward regeneration of damaged
Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) dentin, pulp, resorbed root, periodontal regeneration and
Seo et al. [11] described the presence of multipotent postnatal repair perforations. Whole tooth regeneration to replace
stem cells in the human periodontal ligament (PDLSCs). the traditional dental implants is also in pipeline. Tissue-
When transplanted into rodents, PDLSCs had the capacity engineering applications using dental stem cells that may
to generate a cementum/periodontal ligament-like structure promote more rapid healing of oral wounds and ulcers as
and contributed to periodontal tissue repair. These cells can well as the use of gene-transfer methods to manipulate
also be isolated from cryopreserved periodontal ligaments salivary proteins and oral microbial colonization patterns
while retaining their stem cell characteristics, including are promising and possible.[31]
single-colony strain generation, cementum/periodontal-
ligament-like tissue regeneration, expression of MSC The use of stem cells in osseous regeneration
surface markers, multipotential differentiation and hence Adult MSCs recently identified in the gingival connective
providing a ready source of MSCs.[27] tissues (gingival mesenchymal stem cells [GMSCs])
have osteogenic potential and are capable of bone
Using a mini pig model, autologous SCAP and PDLSCs regeneration in mandibular defects. GMSCs also suppress
were loaded onto hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate the inflammatory response by inhibiting lymphocyte
and gelfoam scaffolds, and implanted into sockets in the proliferation and inflammatory cytokines and by promoting
lower jaw, where they formed a bioroot encircled with the the recruitment of regulatory T-cells and anti-inflammatory
periodontal ligament tissue and in a natural relationship cytokines. Thus, GMSCs potentially promote the “right”

Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1 32
 Bansal and Jain: Dental stem cells

environment for osseous regeneration and is currently tissues or tooth like structures although in animal studies
being therapeutically explored.[32] but future advances in dental stem cell research will be the
regeneration of functional tooth in humans.
Nondental stem cells for dental application
Researchers of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and As human stem cell research is a relatively new area,
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell companies developing cell therapies face several types of
Biology and Regenerative Medicine, reported a possible risks as well, and some are not able to manage them thus
method for growing teeth from stem cells obtained in pushing this venture into a highly speculative enterprise.
urine.[33] In this study, pluripotent stem cells derived from Present clinical trials are being performed on recombinant
human urine were induced to generate tooth-like structures human fibroblast growth factor-2, human platelet-derived
in a group of mice with a success rates of up to 30%. The growth factor, and tricalcium phosphate (GEM-21).
generated teeth had physical properties similar to that of Looking at the ongoing clinical trials, it is too early to
normal human teeth except hardness (about one-third less speculate whether all therapies based on stem cells will
in hardness of human teeth). The reported advantages to prove to be clinically effective.[42]
such an approach were being noninvasive technique, low
cost, and use of somatic cells (instead of embryonic) that CONCLUSION
are wasted anyways. Interestingly urine-derived stem cells
do not form tumors when transplanted in the body unlike Stem cells of dental origin have multiple applications
other stem cells; more over autologous sourcing of these nevertheless there are certain limitations as well. The
cells reduces the likelihood of rejection. oncogenic potential of these cells is still to be determined in
long-term clinical studies. Moreover, the research is mainly
PROSPECTS OF DENTAL STEM CELLS IN confined to animal models and their extensive clinical
application is yet to be tested. Other major limitations
MEDICINE are the difficulty to identify, isolate, purify and grow these
cells consistently in labs. Immune rejection is also one
Dental stem cells have the potential to be utilized for of the issues, which require a thorough consideration;
medical applications like heart therapies,[34] regenerating nevertheless use of autologous cells can overcome this.
brain tissue,[35] for muscular dystrophy therapies[36] and Lastly, stem/progenitor cells are comparatively less
for bone regeneration.[37,38] SHED can be used to generate potent than embryonic stem cells. Teeth-like structures
cartilage[39] as well as adipose tissue.[40] In 2008 first cannot replace actual teeth, thus a considerable research
advanced animal study for bone grafting was announced research and development efforts is required to advance
resulting in reconstruction of large size cranial bone defects the dental regenerative therapeutics. Researchers still need
in rats with human DPSCs.[41] to grow blood and nerve supply of teeth to make them
fully functional. Although not currently available, these
FUTURE PROSPECTIVES approaches may one day be used as biological alternatives to
the synthetic materials currently used. Like other powerful
Researchers have observed promising results in several technologies, dental stem cell research poses challenges
preclinical animal studies and numerous clinical trials are as well as risks. If we are to realize the benefits, meet the
now on-going globally to further validate these findings. challenges, and avoid the risks, stem cell research must be
The Obama administration has made stem cell research conducted under effective, accountable systems of social-
one of the pillars of his health program. The U.S. Army responsible oversight and control, at both the national and
is investing over $250 million in stem cell research to treat international levels.[43]
injured soldiers in a project called Armed Forces Institute
for Regenerative Medicine. It is likely that the next stem REFERENCES
cell advance is the availability of regenerative dental kits,
which will enable the dentists the ability to deliver stem 1. Fischbach GD, Fischbach RL. Stem cells: Science, policy, and ethics. J
Clin Invest 2004;114:1364-70.
cell therapies locally as part of routine dental practice.
2. Yamaizumi M, Mekada E, Uchida T, Okada Y. One molecule of
An innovative method that holds promising future is to diphtheria toxin fragment a introduced into a cell can kill the cell.
generate induced stem cells from harvested human dental Cell 1978;15:245-50.
stem cells. This approach reprograms dental stem cells 3. Wilson EB. The Cell in Development and Inheritance. 1st ed. New
York: Macmillan Company; 1996.
into an embryonic state, thus expanding their potential
4. Maximow A. The lymphocyte as a stem cell, common to different
to differentiate into a much wider range of tissue types. blood elements in embryonic development and during the post-fetal
Researchers have so far succeeded in making specific dental life of mammals. Folia Haematol 1909;8:123-34.

33 Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1
 Bansal and Jain: Dental stem cells

5. Mason C, Dunnill P. A brief definition of regenerative medicine. 26. Reznick JB. Continuing education: Stem cells: Emerging medical
Regen Med 2008;3:1-5. and dental therapies for the dental professional. Dentaltown Mag
6. Polezhaev LV. Restoration of lost regenerative capacity of dental 2008;Oct:42-53.
tissues. In: Loss and Restoration of Regenerative Capacity in Tissues 27. Seo BM, Miura M, Sonoyama W, Coppe C, Stanyon R, Shi S. Recovery
and Organs of Animals. 1st ed. Jerusalem: Keterpress; 1972. p. 141-52. of stem cells from cryopreserved periodontal ligament. J Dent Res
7. Gronthos S, Mankani M, Brahim J, Robey PG, Shi S. Postnatal human 2005;84:907-12.
dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci 28. Huang GT, Sonoyama W, Liu Y, Liu H, Wang S, Shi S. The hidden
U S A 2000;97:13625-30. treasure in apical papilla: The potential role in pulp/dentin
8. Miura M, Gronthos S, Zhao M, Lu B, Fisher LW, Robey PG, et al. regeneration and bioroot engineering. J Endod 2008;34:645-51.
SHED: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. Proc Natl 29. Trubiani O, Orsini G, Zini N, Di Iorio D, Piccirilli M, Pia elli A, et al.
Acad Sci U S A 2003;100:5807-12. Regenerative potential of human periodontal ligament derived stem
9. Sonoyama W, Liu Y, Fang D, Yamaza T, Seo BM, Zhang C, et al. cells on three-dimensional biomaterials: A morphological report. J
Mesenchymal stem cell-mediated functional tooth regeneration in Biomed Mater Res A 2008;87:986-93.
swine. PLoS One 2006;1:e79. 30. Li Y, Jin F, Du Y, Ma Z, Li F, Wu G, et al. Cementum and periodontal
10. Sonoyama W, Liu Y, Yamaza T, Tuan RS, Wang S, Shi S, et al. ligament-like tissue formation induced using bioengineered dentin.
Characterization of the apical papilla and its residing stem cells Tissue Eng Part A 2008;14:1731-42.
from human immature permanent teeth: A pilot study. J Endod 31. Jain A, Bansal R. Regenerative medicine: Biological solutions to
2008;34:166-71. biological problems. Indian J Med Spec 2013;4:41-6.
11. Seo BM, Miura M, Gronthos S, Bartold PM, Batouli S, Brahim J, et 32. Wang F, Yu M, Yan X, Wen Y, Zeng Q, Yue W, et al. Gingiva-derived
al. Investigation of multipotent postnatal stem cells from human mesenchymal stem cell-mediated therapeutic approach for bone
periodontal ligament. Lancet 2004;364:149-55. tissue regeneration. Stem Cells Dev 2011;20:2093-102.
12. Shi S, Robey PG, Gronthos S. Comparison of human dental pulp and 33. Cai J, Zhang Y, Liu P, Chen S, Wu X, Sun Y, et al. Generation of
bone marrow stromal stem cells by cDNA microarray analysis. Bone tooth-like structures from integration-free human urine induced
2001;29:532-9. pluripotent stem cells. Cell Regen 2013;2:6.
13. Murray PE, Smith AJ. Saving pulps – A biological basis. An overview. 34. Gandia C, Armiñan A, García-Verdugo JM, Lledó E, Ruiz A, Miñana
Prim Dent Care 2002;9:21-6. MD, et al. Human dental pulp stem cells improve le ventricular
14. Laino G, d’Aquino R, Graziano A, Lanza V, Carinci F, Naro F, et al. function, induce angiogenesis, and reduce infarct size in rats with
A new population of human adult dental pulp stem cells: A useful acute myocardial infarction. Stem Cells 2008;26:638-45.
source of living autologous fibrous bone tissue (LAB). J Bone Miner 35. Nosrat IV, Widenfalk J, Olson L, Nosrat CA. Dental pulp cells produce
Res 2005;20:1394-402. neurotrophic factors, interact with trigeminal neurons in vitro, and
15. Zhang W, Walboomers XF, Shi S, Fan M, Jansen JA. Multilineage rescue motoneurons a er spinal cord injury. Dev Biol 2001;238:120-32.
differentiation potential of stem cells derived from human dental 36. Kerkis I, Ambrosio CE, Kerkis A, Martins DS, Zucconi E, Fonseca
pulp a er cryopreservation. Tissue Eng 2006;12:2813-23. SA, et al. Early transplantation of human immature dental pulp
16. Cordeiro MM, Dong Z, Kaneko T, Zhang Z, Miyazawa M, Shi S, et stem cells from baby teeth to golden retriever muscular dystrophy
al. Dental pulp tissue engineering with stem cells from exfoliated (GRMD) dogs: Local or systemic? J Transl Med 2008;6:35.
deciduous teeth. J Endod 2008;34:962-9. 37. Graziano A, d’Aquino R, Cusella-De Angelis MG, De Francesco F,
17. Koyama N, Okubo Y, Nakao K, Bessho K. Evaluation of pluripotency Giordano A, Laino G, et al. Scaffold’s surface geometry significantly
in human dental pulp cells. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2009;67:501-6. affects human stem cell bone tissue engineering. J Cell Physiol
18. Gould TR, Melcher AH, Brune e DM. Migration and division of 2008;214:166-72.
progenitor cell populations in periodontal ligament a er wounding. 38. Graziano A, d’Aquino R, Laino G, Papaccio G. Dental pulp stem cells:
J Periodontal Res 1980;15:20-42. A promising tool for bone regeneration. Stem Cell Rev 2008;4:21-6.
19. Yamamura T. Differentiation of pulpal cells and inductive influences 39. Fecek C, Yao D, Kaçorri A, Vasquez A, Iqbal S, Sheikh H, et al.
of various matrices with reference to pulpal wound healing. J Dent Chondrogenic derivatives of embryonic stem cells seeded into 3D
Res 1985;64 Spec No:530-40. polycaprolactone scaffolds generated cartilage tissue in vivo. Tissue
20. Kerkis I, Kerkis A, Dozortsev D, Stukart-Parsons GC, Gomes Eng Part A 2008;14:1403-13.
Massironi SM, Pereira LV, et al. Isolation and characterization of a 40. D’Andrea F, De Francesco F, Ferraro GA, Desiderio V, Tirino V, De
population of immature dental pulp stem cells expressing OCT- Rosa A, et al. Large-scale production of human adipose tissue from
4 and other embryonic stem cell markers. Cells Tissues Organs stem cells: A new tool for regenerative medicine and tissue banking.
2006;184:105-16. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2008;14:233-42.
21. Yan M, Yu Y, Zhang G, Tang C, Yu J. A journey from dental pulp stem 41. de Mendonça Costa A, Bueno DF, Martins MT, Kerkis I, Kerkis
cells to a bio-tooth. Stem Cell Rev 2011;7:161-71. A, Fanganiello RD, et al. Reconstruction of large cranial defects in
22. Murray PE, Garcia-Godoy F, Hargreaves KM. Regenerative nonimmunosuppressed experimental design with human dental
endodontics: A review of current status and a call for action. J Endod pulp stem cells. J Craniofac Surg 2008;19:204-10.
2007;33:377-90. 42. Saini R, Saini S, Sharma S. Therapeutics of stem cells in periodontal
23. Abbas, Diakonov I, Sharpe P. Neural crest origin of dental stem cells. regeneration. J Nat Sci Biol Med 2011;2:38-42.
Pan European Federation of the International Association for Dental 43. Saini R, Saini S, Sharma S. Stem cell therapy: The eventual future. Int
Research (PEF IADR) Seq #96-Oral Stem Cells 2008; Abs, 0917.
J Trichology 2009;1:145-6.
24. Perry BC, Zhou D, Wu X, Yang FC, Byers MA, Chu TM, et al.
Collection, cryopreservation, and characterization of human dental
pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells for banking and clinical use. How to cite this article: Bansal R, Jain A. Current overview on dental
Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2008;14:149-56. stem cells applications in regenerative dentistry. J Nat Sc Biol Med
25. Arora V, Arora P, Munshi AK. Banking stem cells from human 2015;6:29-34.
exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED): Saving for the future. J Clin
Pediatr Dent 2009;33:289-94. Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | January 2015 | Vol 6 | Issue 1 34