Regeneration of periodontal tissues based on in situ tissue engineering

Tooth regeneration: implications for the use of bioengineered organs in first-wave organ replacement

Experiments with animal models have shown that the tooth crown structure can be regenerated using tissue engineering techniques that combine tooth bud cells and biodegradable materials, or by using embryonic tissue and adult stem cells. Moreover, tooth roots and periodontal tissues have been reconstructed by grafting dental stem cells, which leads to the recovery of tooth function, suggesting that tooth regeneration will become possible in humans in the near future. The present article reviews current research on tooth regeneration, discusses a model of tooth replacement that could be used clinically, and proposes a new tooth regeneration approach that overcomes the difficulties associated with the tooth replacement model. Tooth regeneration is an important stepping stone in the establishment of engineered organ transplantation, which is one of the ultimate goals of regenerative therapies.

A review of new developments in tissue engineering therapy for periodontitis

This article focuses on recent advances in the regeneration of periodontium using tissue engineering and examines new technologies that will lead to further advances in periodontal therapy. The various advantages and drawbacks of protein-based, cell-based, and genetic-engineering approaches are evaluated. The debate between those who aim to regenerate periodontal tissues and researchers who have focused on the reconstitution of structural elements of the teeth is examined. The isolation of human dental stem cells from deciduous and adult wisdom teeth might hold the key to allowing the replacement of teeth and the regeneration of supporting tissue. The combination of scientific research, following on from advances in other fields, with clinical research in dentistry could yield a solution to the debilitating and widespread problem of periodontitis.