Regenerating the Pulp Tissue with Stem Cells

Dr. T. comments:

I read an article in the current issue of the Journal of Endodontics that describes techniques that are being developed for re-vascularizing the pulpless tooth and then regenerating the pulp tissue with stem cells.

The technology is not quite there but it appears as though this will soon become a viable treatment option. If so, I am wondering how this will affect may advice to patients to extract a tooth with pulpo-periapical disease and replace it with an dental implant? Maybe a better option will be regenerating the pulp and restoring the tooth conventionally? Any thoughts?

[Editor: Murray PE, et al. Regenerative Endodontics: A Review of Current Status and a Call for Action. Journal of Endodontics. 2007;33:377-390.]