Dental Regeneration Clinical Trials

Dental regeneration is quite a novel approach to repairing teeth from several dental conditions. Dental stem cells were first identified in 2000, and since then, they have been used to investigate several applications for tooth repair.

Our teeth are a precious part of our bodies. They help us enjoy delicious foods and are an important aesthetic aspect of our appearance. Moreover, healthy teeth give us a natural, good-looking smile.

We understand how important keeping our teeth healthy is, and therefore, we undertook an exciting search on the current clinical trials on dental regeneration using stem cells (USA).

Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating field and how scientists are advancing dental care using stem cells.

What are Stem Cells

Stem cells can be viewed as “mother cells.” They can give rise to many types of cells in our body. The embryo contains pluripotent stem cells, capable of giving rise to nearly all cell types in the body, not from a single cell but from a population of cells in the early embryo.

As the embryo develops, though, different types of stem cells are born, giving rise to the many tissues in our bodies.

What About Dental Stem Cells

Dental Stem Cells are a specific type of “mother cells.” They can develop into the parts that form our teeth and the structures that support them.
In comparison, there are more types of stem cells, like hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, or muscle-tissue stem cells. They usually develop into the blood components, the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves), and muscles, respectively.

Now that you have looked at stem cells let’s examine the types of dental stem cells and their applications to dental conditions. Keep it on to learn about the latest clinical trials on dental stem cells.

Types of Dental Stem Cells and the Conditions They Are Used For

Both children and adults have stem cells surrounding and taking part in teeth. They participate in several functions, like supporting and helping our teeth stay healthy.

Scientists have found six types of dental stem cells that can treat several dental conditions. By retrieving stem cells from teeth and their surroundings, scientists can make them grow in the lab and further use them when needed.

Types of Dental Stem Cells

The six types of dental stem cells are:

• Dental pulp stem cells: Found in the pulp, the central part of teeth.
• Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth: These stem cells are retrieved from baby teeth.
• Dental follicle stem cells are found in the follicle, covering the growing teeth.
• Gingival fibroblastic stem cells: These stem cells are found in the gums.
• Stem cells from apical papilla: These can be found in the papilla, located at the base of teeth roots.
• Periodontal ligament stem cells: These are found surrounding the roots of teeth.

Some Conditions For Which Scientists Are Applying Dental Stem Cells

• Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp.
• Periodontitis: Inflammation of tissues bordering teeth.
• Periapical lesions: Problems with the tip of teeth roots or the alveolar bone (the socket where the teeth are inserted, a part of the jaw bone).
• Tooth loss.

Dental Regeneration Clinical Trials in the USA

Now that we have reviewed the different types of dental stem cells and their applications let’s dive into the current clinical trials in dental regeneration in the USA.

For this purpose, we performed a search on clinicaltrials.gov, looking for the following:

• “Dental regeneration,”
• “Dental stem cells,” and
• “Tooth regeneration.”

Inclusion Criteria

• We included all studies that fit the following characteristics:
• The study is recruiting participants.
• The study is active but does not recruit participants.
• The study is not yet recruiting participants.
• The study is recruiting participants by invitation only.
• The study status is unknown: the governmental institution has not received updates from the study designers.
• The study protocol uses at least one method of stem cell therapy or stem cell stimulation.

Exclusion Criteria

We excluded studies that:

• Are completed, terminated, or withdrawn.
• Are not using stem cells or stem cell stimulation as a therapeutic method.

Search Results

We found four studies that meet our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The names of the study protocols and a brief description of each are in the section below.

Rh-PDGF vs. EMD for Treatment of Intrabony Defects

Intrabony defects are injuries to the alveolar bone, the supporting structure of the tooth root. They are usually caused by periodontitis.

This study compares recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (Rh-PDGF) and enamel matrix derivatives (EMD). Both treatment groups use bone allograft (a bone graft from human subjects) in combination with Rh-PDGF or EMD.

Rh-PDGF is a molecule found in the blood. It can recruit stem cells and aid in tissue regeneration and reconstruction.

EMD is found in normal tooth follicles, the surrounding tissue of growing teeth. EMD is known to help regenerate dental structures.

This study assesses whether intrabony defects regenerate better using Rh-PDGF plus bone or EMD plus bone allograft.

Dental Pulp Regeneration by Autologous Tissue Transplantation

Some people may experience dental pulp inflammation or infection. Dentists perform a root canal to repair the damaged tissue and refill the tooth canal.

In this study, researchers aim to test if dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells can repair and heal a damaged tooth canal.

Progenitor Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Palatal Tissue Harvested From Molar and Premolar Sites

Gingival recession is a disorder in which gums fail to cover the roots of teeth. This can cause pain and discomfort to people with this disorder.

This study aims to collect gum tissue from the further back teeth (molar) and those that follow (premolar) to isolate mesenchymal stem cells. Then, scientists can investigate the behavior of these stem cells to repair gingival recession.

Regeneration of Pulp-Dentin Development in Teeth With Necrotic Pulps and Immature Roots

Pulp necrosis refers to the death of pulp tissue. It can occur after inflammation or infection of the pulp.

In this trial, scientists compare standard pulp repair with disinfection of the tooth canal plus material to help promote repair or disinfection plus enamel matrix derivatives. Similarly to the first study, researchers assess if enamel matrix derivatives are useful for repairing damaged teeth.

Takeaways

Dental regeneration is an active field of research with encouraging prospects for the future of dentistry.

Clinical trials are critical in developing new and better treatments for improving health. You can make informed decisions and discuss the best treatment options with your dentist by getting to know the current research.

See Also

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