Advanced and prospective technologies for potential use in craniofacial tissues regeneration by stem cells and growth factors.

The processes of craniofacial tissues development and regeneration are largely dependent on sequential and reciprocal interactions between mesenchymal and epithelial components. These processes involve a series of inductive and permissive interactions that result in the determination, differentiation, and organization of craniofacial tissues. Stem cells and growth factors represent a very interesting research field for craniofacial tissues regeneration. They represent a potential key component in autologous graft for craniofacial tissues regeneration. An ideal goal of oral-craniofacial dental reconstructive therapy is to establish treatment modalities that predictably restore functional tissues. One major area of focus has been that of dental materials with marked improvements in the design of materials used to restore teeth/periodontium/bone lost as a consequence of disease or disorders. Interest in these technologies continues to increase in dental application as a substitute for traditional treatments and artificial components. Recent progress in the studies of molecular basis of tooth development, adult stem cell biology, and regeneration will provide fundamental knowledge for the realization of human craniofacial tissues regeneration in the near future.