Using Dental Pulp Cells Derived from Stem Cells to Promote Dentin and Pulp Tissue Regeneration in Severe Tooth Decay: A Translational Research Method

Abstract

Severe tooth decay is considered to be one of the major threats to dental health, which usually leads to the loss of tooth structure and, thus, its functional impairment. Traditional methods of dental treatment, like extractions, root canals, and fillings, may further contribute to more complications and do not really replace natural characteristics of teeth. In view of providing a biological answer to this common problem, the present study explores the potential of DPCs produced from stem cells for the regeneration of dentin and pulp tissue. The aims of this study were to produce and isolate DPCs, produce appropriate scaffold materials, and evaluate their in vivo and in vitro regeneration capacities. As opposed to the in vivo studies, which evaluated integration and functionality of regenerated tissues in animal models, studies in vitro focused on cell viability, proliferation, and odontoblastic differentiation. It has succeeded in establishing effective scaffold environments that would help in regeneration of dental tissues and demonstrated the ability of DPCs to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells. Further, it has developed standardized techniques for isolating and culturing DPCs. The study also provides a comprehensive evaluation framework through histological and functional assessments and will therefore play an important role in progress of regenerative dentistry. The results indicated that DPCs had high in vitro proliferation and cell survival. Further, they showed prominent mineral deposition and expression of odontoblastic markers like DMP1 and DSPP. High integration scores and functional restoration comparable to natural dentin testified that the regenerated tissues integrated very well with native tooth structures in vivo. These results open the way for DPC-based treatments to achieve structurally and functionally sound dental tissue regeneration.