Amino Acid-Based Poly(ester urea) Biodegradable Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration.

Barrier membranes (BM) for guided bone regeneration (GBR) aim to support the osteogenic healing process of a defined bony defect by excluding epithelial (gingival) ingrowth and enabling osteoprogenitor and stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into bone tissue. Currently, the most widely used membranes for these approaches are collagen-derived, and there is a discrepancy in defining the optimal collagen membrane in terms of biocompatibility, strength, and degradation rates. Motivated by these clinical observations, we designed a collagen-free membrane based on l-valine--l-phenylalanine-poly(ester urea) (PEU) copolymer via electrospinning.

The role of fibroblast growth factor-2 in modulating the differentiation of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone-derived stem cells.

Objective: This study examined how range concentrations of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) influence the differentiation and activity of human-derived periodontal ligament (hPDLSCs) and alveolar bone-derived stem cells (haBMSCs).

Design: hPDLSCs and haBMSCs were cultured with varying concentrations of FGF-2 (0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 ng/mL) and monitored for osteogenic differentiation through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and quantification of gene expression (qRT-PCR) for osteogenesis markers.

Periodontists and stem cell-based therapy for alveolar bone regeneration: A national survey.

Background: Stem cell-based therapy for bone regeneration has received attention in medical settings but has not yet been used in clinical practice for treating alveolar bone defects. The objectives of this study were to explore whether periodontists had heard about this approach, and if so how, how interested they were to learn about it, which attitudes and behavioral intentions they had related to using stem cell-based grafting, and what they would like to know before using this approach.

Methods: Anonymous survey data were collected from 481 members of the American Academy of Periodontology (response rate: 19.

Immunomodulatory differences between mesenchymal stem cells from different oral tissues.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently been identified as having potentially therapeutic immunomodulatory properties. MSCs isolated from different oral tissues have similar morphology and immunophenotypes, however, direct comparisons of their gene expression and immunomodulatory properties have not been conducted. We isolated alveolar bone-derived MSCs (aBMSCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and gingiva-derived MSCs (GMSCs) from the same patients and compared their immunophenotypes and transcriptomes.

Quantification of the Culture Stability of Stem Cell Fractions from Oral-Derived, Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Preparations: A Significant Step toward the Clinical Translation of Cell Therapies.

A continuing limitation and major challenge in the development and utilization of predictable stem cell therapies (SCTs) is the determination of the optimal dosages of stem cells. Herein, we report the quantification of stem cell fractions (SCF) of human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) preparations derived from oral tissues. A novel computational methodology, kinetic stem cell (KSC) counting, was used to quantify the SCF and specific cell culture kinetics of stem cells in oral alveolar bone-derived MSC (aBMSCs) from eight patients.

Nanoscale β-TCP-Laden GelMA/PCL Composite Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration.

Major advances in the field of periodontal tissue engineering have favored the fabrication of biodegradable membranes with tunable physical and biological properties for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Herein, we engineered innovative nanoscale beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)-laden gelatin methacryloyl/polycaprolactone (GelMA/PCL-TCP) photocrosslinkable composite fibrous membranes via electrospinning. Chemo-morphological findings showed that the composite microfibers had a uniform porous network and β-TCP particles successfully integrated within the fibers.

Tissue-specific melt electrowritten polymeric scaffolds for coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes serious damage to tooth-supporting tissues. The limited successful outcomes of clinically available approaches underscore the need for therapeutics that cannot only provide structural guidance to cells but can also modulate the local immune response. Here, three-dimensional melt electrowritten (, poly(ε-caprolactone)) scaffolds with tissue-specific attributes were engineered to guide differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and mediate macrophage polarization.

Three-dimensional printing of clinical scale and personalized calcium phosphate scaffolds for alveolar bone reconstruction.

Objective: Alveolar bone defects can be highly variable in their morphology and, as the defect size increases, they become more challenging to treat with currently available therapeutics and biomaterials. This investigation sought to devise a protocol for fabricating customized clinical scale and patient-specific, bioceramic scaffolds for reconstruction of large alveolar bone defects.

Methods: Two types of calcium phosphate (CaP)-based bioceramic scaffolds (alginate/β-TCP and hydroxyapatite/α-TCP, hereafter referred to as hybrid CaP and Osteoink™, respectively) were designed, 3D printed, and their biocompatibility with alveolar bone marrow stem cells and mechanical properties were determined.

Phenotypic, trophic, and regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells from different osseous tissues.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have broad-based therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. However, a major barrier to their clinical utility is that MSCs from different tissues are highly variable in their regenerative properties. In this study, we defined the molecular and phenotypic identities of different MSC populations from different osseous tissue sites of different patients and, additionally, determined their respective regenerative properties.

Dual Digitally Guided Crown Lengthening in Esthetic Area Compromised by Disharmonic Implant Crown.

Introduction: A disharmonious smile results from excessive gingival exposure or gingival margin misalignment is a frequent finding in patients. The most common cause is altered passive eruption; however, in the case presented here, the esthetics of the smile is compromised also due to an inadequate implant placement and crown fabrication.

Case Presentation: This case presented a combination of altered passive eruption and a buccally as well as deeply placed implant crown (#10) that led to disproportionate dimensions of an upper lateral incisor.

Characterization of the immunomodulatory properties of alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to have immunomodulatory properties which hold promise for their clinical use to treat inflammatory conditions. Relative to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), which are typically isolated from the iliac crest, we have recently demonstrated that MSCs can be predictably isolated from the alveolar bone (aBMSCs) by less invasive means. As such, the aim of this study was to characterize the immunomodulatory properties of aBMSCs relative to BMSCs.

The Association Between Buccal Mucosa Thickness and Periimplant Bone Loss and Attachment Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess if there is an association between buccal mucosa thickness and periimplant attachment loss after 1 year of function.

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 patients (14 periimplantitis implants and 14 healthy implants) were included. The buccal mucosal thickness was assessed using K-files at 3 mm apical to the soft tissue margin of the implant.

Periodontal Tissue Bioengineering: Is the Future Now?

Periodontitis affects nearly half of the adult population in the United States and leads to periodontium destruction, tooth loss, and tooth mobility. Novel bioengineering has become an area of interest in dentistry, as various approaches aim to regenerate attachment apparatus around diseased teeth with the use of barriers, scaffolds, bone grafts, or biologics. This article emphasizes recent findings in the fields of stem cell/gene therapy, 3-dimensional printing, and innovative scaffold designs for future applications in clinical care.

Advanced 3D Models Cultured to Investigate Mesenchymal Stromal Cells of the Human Dental Follicle.

The human dental follicle (hDF) contains the developing tooth and is involved in regulating tooth maturation and eruption. To investigate the mesenchymal stromal cells of the dental follicle, 2 three-dimensional (3D) culture models were used, based on a dynamic bioreactor: the Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS™) and the 3D culture of precursor cells isolated from follicular tissue (human dental follicle cells [hDFCs]). The hDFCs were obtained from impacted third molars of 20 patients.

Stem cell therapy for reconstruction of alveolar cleft and trauma defects in adults: A randomized controlled, clinical trial.

Background: Stem cell therapy with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells is a promising tissue engineering strategy to promote regeneration of craniofacial bone.

Purpose: To determine whether cell therapy with ex vivo expanded stem cell populations would be safe and efficacious in the regeneration of large alveolar defects in patients with a history of cleft palate or craniofacial trauma.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen patients (10 patients with traumatic injury and 8 patients with cleft palate) presenting with missing teeth associated with horizontal alveolar bone deficiencies were included in this randomized controlled clinical trial.

Dental Pulp Tissue Regeneration Using Dental Pulp Stem Cells Isolated and Expanded in Human Serum.

Introduction: Dental pulp-derived stem cells (DPSCs) have the potential to regenerate dentin and dental pulp tissue because of their differentiation capacity and angiogenic properties. However, for regenerative approaches to gain regulatory and clinical acceptance, protocols are needed to determine more feasible ways to cultivate DPSCs, namely, without the use of xenogeneic-derived components (animal sera) and exogenous growth factors.

Methods: In this study, human DPSCs were isolated from third molars and expanded in standard culture conditions containing fetal bovine serum (DPSCs-FBS) or conditions containing human serum (DPSCs-HS).

Restoration of Oral Function for Adult Edentulous Patients with Ectodermal Dysplasia: A Prospective Preliminary Clinical Study.

Background: Therapy with zygomatic implants (ZIs) or conventional implants (CIs) has proven to be an effective method to restore oral function for systemically healthy patients. However, it is still a major challenge to fully restore oral function to edentulous adult patients with ectodermal dysplasia (ED).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine an effective treatment protocol for restoring oral function using ZIs and CIs to edentulous adult ED patients.

Bone Engineering of Maxillary Sinus Bone Deficiencies Using Enriched CD90+ Stem Cell Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Bone engineering of localized craniofacial osseous defects or deficiencies by stem cell therapy offers strong prospects to improve treatment predictability for patient care. The aim of this phase 1/2 randomized, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate reconstruction of bone deficiencies of the maxillary sinus with transplantation of autologous cells enriched with CD90+ stem cells and CD14+ monocytes. Thirty human participants requiring bone augmentation of the maxillary sinus were enrolled.

Optimized cell survival and seeding efficiency for craniofacial tissue engineering using clinical stem cell therapy.

Traumatic injuries involving the face are very common, yet the clinical management of the resulting craniofacial deficiencies is challenging. These injuries are commonly associated with missing teeth, for which replacement is compromised due to inadequate jawbone support. Using cell therapy, we report the upper jaw reconstruction of a patient who lost teeth and 75% of the supporting jawbone following injury.

Clinical outcomes of dental implant therapy in alveolar cleft patients: a systematic review.

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to evaluate data from published articles to determine the success and effectiveness of advanced bone grafting and dental implant therapy in alveolar cleft patients.

Materials And Methods: A MEDLINE (PubMed) search was conducted of articles published in English without limits regarding year of publication. Bone grafting, implant survival and success rates, marginal bone resorption, esthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction were evaluated.

Tooth storage, dental pulp stem cell isolation, and clinical scale expansion without animal serum.

Introduction: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have therapeutic potential for dentin and dental pulp regeneration. For regenerative approaches to gain clinical acceptance, protocols are needed to determine feasible ways to store teeth, isolate DPSCs, and expand them to clinical scale numbers.

Methods: In this study, 32 third molars were obtained from patients and immediately placed in saline or tissue culture medium followed by overnight storage at 4°C or immediate isolation of DPSCs.

Implant success remains high despite grafting voids in the maxillary sinus.

Objectives: Given that the nature and presence of voids present within grafted sinuses following maxillary sinus elevation procedures were not known, nor was the contribution of these factors to implant success, the purpose of this study was to investigate these parameters and their relationship to implant success.

Materials And Methods: This study evaluated data from 25 subjects who had a lateral window maxillary sinus augmentation procedure. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at baseline and 4 months after surgery.

Comparative analysis of dental implant treatment outcomes following mandibular reconstruction with double-barrel fibula bone grafting or vertical distraction osteogenesis fibula: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to compare vertical bone height (VBH) after tumor resection through grafting with either a double-barrel fibula (DBF) technique or vertical distraction osteogenesis of the fibula (VDOF); (ii) to compare the performance of loaded dental implants following either DBF or VDOF with special focus on implant survival, implant success, and bone resorption.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective clinical study involved 19 patients who underwent implant placement following DBF (group A, n = 9) or VDOF (group B, n = 10) for mandibular reconstruction from March 2006 to May 2008. Clinical and radiographic assessments, including VBH, modified Plaque Index (mPI), modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI), and marginal bone level (MBL), were taken for both groups after delivery of the final prostheses and annually thereafter.