Stem Cells and Dentofacial Orthodontic Treatment Potential

ABSTRACT

Background: In recent years, stem cell therapy has become a very promising and advanced scientific research topic. With advanced technology in tissue engineering, the development of this approach has evolved with great expectations.

Methods: This article is focused on the discovery of stem cells and their potential application in dentofacial orthodontic treatment. For craniofacial deformities, stem cell-based therapy has been applied as a part of a tissue engineering approach to regenerate bone and tissues to reconstruct the deformities. With a limitation of tissue defects, several stem cells could be great candidates for the treatment.

Conclusions: Stem cell-based therapy could be applied for TMJ regeneration with great potential for the development of scaffold regenerative materials. Current evidence demonstrates the potential of stem cellbased therapy for regenerate cementum, collagen and alveolar bone for the benefit of accelerated tooth movement, increased envelope of discrepancy and improved posttreatment stability.

Practical implications: However, there is a need for more in vivo and clinical trials for stem cell-based therapy to be used as a standard treatment.

Keywords::

• Stem cells
• dentofacial
• orthodontic
• tissue engineering

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Phimon Atsawasuwan

Phimon Atsawasuwan, DDS, MSc, MSc, MS, PhD, is a tenured associate professor in the department of orthodontics at the University of Illinois Chicago and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. His research interest is focused on accelerated tooth movement, craniofacial/bone biology, microRNA and advances in orthodontic treatment. Dr. Atsawasuwan’s research involves clinical research, bench-top molecular biology research, cell culture and animal research. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.