Adult mesenchymal stem cells and their possibilities for Dentistry: what to expect?

INTRODUCTION: Stem cells obtained from the pulp of human deciduous teeth are highly proliferative and plastic multipotent cells, which makes them a relevant model of stem cells, applied in several biomedical areas, with different purposes. OBJECTIVE: Based on a brief review of the literature, the present work intends to present from conceptual aspects about stem cells, classifications, potential (in vitro and in vivo) applications in dental practice, cell culture, cryopreservation and its importance, ethical and regulatory aspects, as well as the role of the dental surgeon as the endorser responsible for the entire clinical stage that involves the process of collecting stem cells obtained from dental pulps for cryopreservation, with a view to using them under appropriate conditions, in accordance with scientifically proven and justified good laboratory and clinical practices.

Adult mesenchymal stem cells and their possibilities for Dentistry: what to expect?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stem cells obtained from the pulp of human deciduous teeth are highly proliferative and plastic multipotent cells, which makes them a relevant model of stem cells, applied in several biomedical areas, with different purposes. Objective: Based on a brief review of the literature, the present work intends to present from conceptual aspects about stem cells, classifications, potential (in vitro and in vivo) applications in dental practice, cell culture, cryopreservation and its importance, ethical and regulatory aspects, as well as the role of the dental surgeon as the endorser responsible for the entire clinical stage that involves the process of collecting stem cells obtained from dental pulps for cryopreservation, with a view to using them under appropriate conditions, in accordance with scientifically proven and justified good laboratory and clinical practices.

RESUMO Introdução: As células-tronco obtidas a partir da polpa de dentes decíduos humanos são células multipotentes altamente proliferativas e plásticas, o que as torna um modelo relevante de células-tronco, aplicado em diversas áreas biomédicas, com diferentes propósitos. Objetivo: A partir de uma breve revisão da literatura, o presente trabalho pretende apresentar desde aspectos conceituais acerca das células-tronco, classificações, potenciais aplicações (in vitro e in vivo) na prática odontológica, cultivo celular, criopreservação e sua importância, aspectos éticos e regulatórios, bem como o papel do cirurgião-dentista como homologador responsável por toda a etapa clínica que envolve o processo de coleta das células-tronco obtidas a partir de polpas dentais para criopreservação, com vistas ao uso em condições adequadas, em acordo com as boas práticas laboratoriais e clínicas cientificamente comprovadas e justificadas.