ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim is to review and discuss the strategies available for the regeneration of tooth tissues based on principles of tissue engineering. BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary approach that aims to regenerate functional tooth-tissue structure based on the interplay of three basic key elements: Stem cells, morphogens and scaffolds. A number of recent clinical case reports have revealed the possibilities that many teeth that traditionally would be treated byapexification may be treated by apexogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic and hand search of scientific papers were carried out on the Entrez Pubmed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases using specific keywords. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were predetermined. The search yielded 1619 papers; out of which 65 were identified as conforming to the predetermined inclusion criteria and the remaining 1554 were excluded. Out of 65 papers, 34 papers were excluded again as different key words led to the same publications. Only 31 papers were selected, out of which 27 full-text papers were found and 4 papers were included based on only the abstracts. These 31 papers formed the basis of this review. The data were extracted from the selected studies. The data were synthesized by pooling the extracted data. CONCLUSION: The field of tissue engineering has recently shown promising results and is a good prospect in dentistry for the development of the ideal restorations to replace the lost tooth structure.
ABSTRACT
Cells with unique capacity for self-renewal and potency are called stem cells. With appropriate biochemical signals stem cells can be transformed into desirable cells. The idea behind this article is to shortly review the obtained literature on stem cell with respect to their properties, types and advantages of dental stem cells. Emphasis has been given to the possibilities of stem cell therapy in the oral and maxillofacial region including regeneration of tooth and craniofacial defects.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: The aim of this study was to estimate the count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of caries free children using Dentocult SM strip mutans and to evaluate the effect of fluoride varnish on the Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of these caries free children. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Thirty caries free children were selected for the study based on the information obtained from a questionnaire prepared. They were randomly assigned into the control group and the study group consisting of ten and twenty children respectively. Samples of saliva were collected using the saliva strips from the Dentocult SM kit and after incubation the presence of the Streptococcus mutans was evaluated using the manufacturers' chart. The study group was subjected to Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application after 24 hours following which the samples were collected again. RESULTS: The average Streptococcus mutans count in primary dentition of caries free children was in the range of 10(4) to 10(5) colony forming units/ml. The average Streptococcus mutans count in primary dentition of caries free children after Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application was below 10(4) colony forming units/ml. CONCLUSION: Fluor Protector fluoride varnish application showed a statistically significant reduction in the Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of the caries free children in the study group.
