The oral cavity – potential source of stem cells

The purpose of this review is to present the current knowledge regarding the hierarchy of stem cells originating from the oral cavity, which could have a potential value when applied to regenerative stomatology. It must be particularly emphasized that the heterogenous nature of its biology and function within oral compartment may predispose them to different types of applications. Stem cells can be perceived as immature, primitive and unspecialized types of cells with the ability to proliferate, self-renew and differentiate into specialized progeny according to the compartmental signaling. Their presence in tissue reservoirs was already discovered in many organs and tissues as well as in the stomatognathic system. The oral cavity appears to be an exceptionally attractive site to acquire stem cells. The common presence and easy access to these cells in dental and peridental tissues provides a real chance to apply them for therapeutic purposes. Such an opportunity would also be neutral to bioethical and moral issues, assuming autologous stem cells employment. Many authors suspect that stem cells have epigenetic memory, so some of their features can be inherited through generations. They are not connected, however, with DNA sequence modifications. It is, therefore, justified to apply the cells, which have the oral cavity as their natural reservoir, in interventions associated with tissue engineering within the stomatognathic system. An increasing number of clinical trials, among which the number of randomized studies with large group of patients is progressively carried out, allows for a prediction that shortly therapeutic methods based on stem cells of dental origin may be implemented to the routine repertoire of clinical practice.