Apical Papilla Stem Cells and its Significance in Regeneration of Dental Tissues Kattta Prashanth Kumar1,*, Sreedhara S2, Savakkanavar Malthesh B3, Murthy D Kiran4 1Senior Lecturer, Dept of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere 2Reader, Dept of Orthodontics, SJM dental college and Hospital, Chitradurga 3Reader, Dept of Orthodontics, Sharavathi Dental College and Hospital, Shimoga 4Prof & HOD, Dept of Cons and Endo, SJM Dental College and Hospital, Chitradurga *Corresponding author: Prashanth Kumar Kattta, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere-577002, Ph: 9449764882, Email: drprashanthkumar@yahoo.com
Online published on 8 October, 2014. Abstract The use of allogeneic stem cells strongly extends the range of stem cell applications in dentistry1; stem cells have the capacity to divide and differentiate into various other cells of other tissues (multipotency) 2. The search for stem cells other than bone marrow has given rise to more interest in dental tissues. Human dental stem/progenitor cells (collectively termed dental stem cells [DSCs]) that have been isolated and characterized include dental pulp stem cells, stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth, stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP), periodontal ligament stem cells, and dental follicle progenitor cells3. The SCAP stem cells appear to be the source of odontoblasts that are responsible for the formation of root dentin. Conservation of these stem cells when treating immature teeth may allow continuous formation of the root to completion. This article reviews current findings on the isolation and characterization of these stem cells. The potential role of these stem cells in the following respects will be discussed: (1) their contribution in continued root maturation in endodontically treated immature teeth with periradicular periodontitis or abscess and (2) their potential utilization for pulp/dentin regeneration and bioroot engineering4. Top Keywords Stem Cells, Sources, Apical Papilla, Tissue Engineering. Top |