Author(s) :

Ameer Akhil Ahmed Shaik.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Dental Stem Cells (DSCs) represent an emerging biological platform with significant potential to advance regenerative dentistry and repair damaged dental tissues. The major contributions of stem cell populations from pulp-associated tissues (including DPSCs, SHEDs & SCAP) are to promote dentin– pulp regeneration and root development, while PDLSCs have a primary contribution to periodontal tissue repair. The potential of these cells has been well established in preclinical studies, demonstrating their ability to differentiate into multiple cell types and thereby contribute to dentin-pulp regeneration, periodontal repair, and root development. Complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and molecular signaling pathways regulate odontogenesis, controlling cellular proliferation, differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. Molecular technological advances, including lineage tracing, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics analysis, have dramatically increased our understanding of DSC heterogeneity and the organization of the DSC niche. Furthermore, tissue-engineering approaches combining stem cells with biomaterial scaffolds and bioactive molecules have shown significant promise for dental regeneration. In addition to demonstrating feasibility, biomimetic scaffold-based delivery systems capable of delivering both angiogenic and odontogenic growth factors have shown efficacy in promoting dentin-pulp regeneration during endodontic therapy. Three-dimensional culture systems and dental organoid models also provide physiologic relevance for studying stem cell behavior and evaluating regenerative therapies. This review summarizes recent advances in the isolation, characterization, and therapeutic potential of DSCs. Preclinical and clinical evidence support the translational potential of DSCs, although further standardization and long-term validation are required for clinical applications. However, despite the advancements listed above, many barriers remain before this technology is available for everyday clinical practice. Such barriers include limited availability of DSCs, DSC heterogeneity, and limitations of current experimental models.