Theme: Stem Cell Biology in Craniofacial Tissues
Sponsored by: Pulp Biology and Regeneration
Description: Advances in tissue engineering and stem cell biology have provided the scientific rationale and the conceptual framework for the emerging field of Regenerative Endodontics. Clinical procedures fundamentally based on Regenerative Endodontics have been increasingly more accepted by the Endodontic community and by the American Dental Association (ADA). Regenerative Endodontics can be broadly divided into two main approaches: A) Cell-based therapy using tissue engineering approached that involve transplantation of stem/progenitor cells into the root canal with the use of appropriate scaffolds. And B) Non-cell-based therapy using revascularization (or revitalization) approaches in which stem/progenitor cells normally present in the periapical tissues are recruited into the canal to drive dental pulp tissue regeneration. Each one of these approaches is accompanied by challenges and opportunities. For example, while cell-based approaches result in regeneration of functional dental pulps in preclinical models, their translation into the clinic is hindered by the elevated costs and associated risks involved in the manipulation of stem/progenitor cells in the laboratory prior to transplantation. On the other hand, non-cell-based therapies can already be performed in clinical settings in humans today, but may not result in complete regeneration of the dental pulp throughout the full length of the canal. This symposium will be focused on the presentation and discussion of the state-of-the-science in the field of dental pulp tissue regeneration, and the challenges facing the routine use of such procedures in the clinic.
Learning Objectives:
Learn the critical gaps in the knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate cellular response in the context of dental pulp tissue regeneration
Understand the state-of-the-science in Regenerative Endodontics in 2012
Recognize the challenges & opportunities facing the clinical translation of Regenerative Endodontics