Células tronco na odontologia: fontes e uso terapêutico associado a engenharia tecidual

Abstract

The current dental research has been looking for new strategies to the maintenance and regeneration of orofacial tissues. In this context, the use of mesenchymal stem cells performs a promising therapeutic option, since its proliferation and differentiation in tissues can be directed through inductive means and scaffolds. Based on the premise, this work aimed to perform a review of the literature about the use of stem cells as a therapeutic option in dentistry. The research were done at the databases Bireme, PubMed/Medline and SciELO through the descriptors: "Mesenchymal stromal cells" associated with the descriptor "Dentistry", and it was embased in complete articles published between 2000 and 2016. In light of the findings, stem cells should become a possible approach for dental treatments to the next generations instead of conventional therapies. However, the protocols adopted are still controversial, with predominance of in vitro studies in the area, which highlights the need for new research that demonstrates the behavior of this therapy in organisms.