The effects of dental pulp stem cells on bone regeneration in rat calvarial defect model: micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Stem cell therapies may be applicable to all fields of medicine, including craniomaxillofacial surgery. Dental pulp stem cells also have significant osteogenic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dental pulp stem cells on bone regeneration and to ascertain whether or not there was any superiority over traditional methods. DESIGN: In this study, 15 non-immunodeficient Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups (1) untreated control group; (2) hydroxyapatite tri-calcium-phosphate (HA/TCP) paste; (3) human dental pulp derived stem cells (DPSC) mixed with HA/TCP paste (HA/TCP+DSPC group, n=10). Two symmetrical full-thickness cranial defects were created on each parietal region (10 defects for each group). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks post-surgery and samples were analyzed by microcomputer tomography (µ-CT) and histomorphometry. RESULTS: The calcification rate and bone mineral density (BMD) values in Group 3 were found to be significantly higher than in the other two groups. Radiographically, bone regeneration was greater in Group 2 compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference between Groups 2 and 1 in respect of histological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, DPSCs may be a suitable factor for bone tissue engineering because they can be easily obtained and differentiate into bone cells.