Stem cells and tissue engineering: prospects for regenerating tissues in dental practice.

In general, human tissues have a very limited potential to regenerate. However, recent progress in stem cell research and in tissue engineering promises novel prospects for tissue regeneration in dental practice in the future. Stem cells have been discovered in many adult tissues, including teeth, and stem cells from embryos have the potential to form all adult tissues. Embryonic stem cells can now be cultured and even produced from adult cells by the nuclear transfer method. Due to the rapid progress of research in molecular biology, particularly in the field of developmental biology, we are now starting to understand at the level of genes and molecules how the development of dental tissues is regulated. For instance, specific signal molecules have been identified which regulate the development of teeth and bones from progenitor cells. This information is already being used for the generation of dentoalveolar tissues in vitro and in vivo. Could we perhaps grow new enamel, dentine, periodontal ligament, bone, or even whole new teeth for our patients in the future?