Current Understanding of Stem Cells in Oral and Implant Surgery- A Review of the Current Literature

Abstract

Background: Stem cells have provided promising potential for the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, their application in the context of oral surgery and implantology for rehabilitation of bony defects and nerve damage due to iatrogenic injury in the oral cavity remains widely unclear. Aim: The purpose of this study is to review the current role of stem cells and their clinical implications in osseous defect regeneration and nerve repair. Methods: Human studies based on systematic reviews in English were used to limit bias. Articles were searched on PubMed with key terms: (stem cells) and (oral surgery) and (regeneration). Results: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells injected into sites of horizontal bone deficiencies due to facial injury resulted in the reproduction of alveolar bone in patients undergoing future implant placement. Immunohistological findings from a human clinical trial showed that Periodontal Ligament-Derived Autologous Stem Cells (PDLSCs) demonstrated optimal regenerative capacity of PDL, alveolar bone, cementum and peripheral nerve, as well as improvement of intrabony defects through increased alveolar bone height and decreased depths of bony defects over time. Introduction of umbilical cord-derived stem cells into the oral cavity resulted in successful bone regeneration and reestablishment of lost tissue at sites of injury or pathology. Sensory testing and histomorphometric evaluation concluded that human PDLSCs injected into damaged mental nerves in rats led to enhanced sensory function, sensory neuronal activity and an increase in mRNA expression at the nerve growth receptor level after mental nerve injury. Conclusion: The findings implicate stem cell therapy as a promising alternative to autologous bone grafting and a potential avenue for regeneration of iatrogenic nerve damage. Despite the need for more evidence-based support, their multipotent potential remains a hopeful turning point for multiple applications in oral surgery and implantology.