Dental health solution for aging population: tooth regeneration

Dental stem cell is a wonderful alternative for missing teeth replacement for aging population. In technology determined society, dental advancement is significant breakthrough in human development process. Teeth are intricate structures in humans and contain two separate specialized hard tissues, dentine and enamel, which form a unified attachment with bone via a specialized (periodontal) ligament. Among several dental treatment, repair, restoration and replacement of teeth are common dental practices for patients suffering from dental issues.

Especially aging population is vulnerable to numerous teeth problems and dental practitioners work intelligently to serve effective way to make them comfortable. Currently in India and other developing nations, patients who have multiple missing teeth can opt for implants, or dentures. Nonetheless, these two dental solutions may have detrimental dental health issues. Major health problems associated with dental implants include infection at the implant site, injury or damage to the surrounding structures, nerve damage, and sinus problems. Though this technique is preferred and espoused by huge population for their missing teeth today, dental implants can miscarry and unable to “remodel” with adjoining jaw bone which adversely impact on the remaining human life. Dentures, whether flexible or high quality may be itchy and persons find difficulty in chewing at later stage. They can also cause gum and mouth irritation or infections.

In developed nations, perpetual researches are being conducted to explore solid solutions for missing teeth of patients. Due to progression of medical science in dentistry arena, life expectancy of individual is increased and they can lead good social and personal life. Procedures for missing teeth replacement like dentures and implants are now traditional practices because dental scholars are focusing on the novel way to grow new teeth in a patient’s mouth. But it is not common in developing countries as the research is still at infancy stage and only industrialized countries get benefit from this study outcome. Another challenge is the high cost of dental procedure of growing teeth.

Still, stem cell therapy for tooth regeneration gives golden chance to people to refill their missing teeth and their smile. Tooth regeneration in missing teeth resolves all issues associated with implants or dentures. This is magnificent gift of medical science advancement which is termed as dental stem cell. Stem cell researchers/ practitioners can make possible to regrow missing teeth. Stem cells are cells that have recreating properties and have ability to multiply at exceptionally rapid rates. Each time one of these cells are created, one of two things can happen. For common person, it is elaborated that human dental stem cells can be found from postnatal teeth, extracted wisdom teeth or exfoliated deciduous teeth. Due to their differentiation potential, these mesenchymal stem cells are helpful for tooth repair. Consequently, the dental tissue regeneration signifies a promising solution for missing teeth but also moot for numerous scholars. In normal course, dental surgeon or practitioners use inert materials to repair damaged or infectious teeth. Tooth regeneration emerged as good alternative as inert materials can fail with time.

Stem cell tooth implantation promises to replace uncomfortable and length procedures such as dental implants. It is indicated in medical reports that within two months, the stem cells grow into a new tooth, an exact match of old one. The stem cells also produce the bone that connects the tooth to the jaw which eliminates the procedure of bone grafting. Patients do not have fear with regenerated teeth as there is no risk of falling of teeth.  Stem cell tooth implants also maintain the health of gums. Some dental health centres in India have created stem cell banking to store stem cells from teeth for future use.

Steps involved in regeneration of tooth:

1.   Reaping and expansion of adult stem cells.

2.   Seeding the stem cells into scaffold which provides optimized environment.

3.   Cells are instructed with targeted soluble molecular signals spatially.

4.   Confirming the gene expression profile of the cells for next stage in odontogenesis.

It has been recognized by dental scientists that Laser Therapy Stimulates Regeneration in teeth.

Major benefits of dental stem cell technique for tooth regeneration:

This procedure has high plasticity. It can be cryopreserved for longer period. It indicated good interaction with scaffold and growth factors. Stem cells transplantations can cause pathogen transmission and also need immunosuppression, so autologous stem cell source is the best option. Dental pulp stem cells will be better fitting tool due to easy surgical access, the very low morbidity of the anatomical site after the collection of the pulp.

According to medical sources, Stem cell implants will cost patients around $2500-3500.

Side effects of dental stem cell tooth regeneration:

Since stem cell tooth regeneration procedure for dental problem solution is in embryonic stage, therefore its safety and consequences are not thoroughly studied.

Future prospects of Stem Cell Tooth Regeneration:

The tooth regeneration technique will be promising in future development in stem cell therapy and tissue engineering. Regenerative processes would be better fitting and great option against dental implants which is painful and unpredictable treatment for missing teeth in elderly people.

To find healthy solution to lost teeth, now elderly people can smile with tooth regeneration technique, a breakthrough in dental field. In applied dentistry, tooth engineering tactics like stem cell plays pivotal role in dental regeneration. Stem cell therapy has also dominant contribution for future treatment in dentistry.