Healing Capacity of Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Partially Pulpotomized Dogs' Teeth.

INTRODUCTION: Partial pulpotomy is a vital treatment for carious and traumatic exposure, especially in young permanent teeth. Cell-based therapy for partially pulpotomized teeth can be considered a promising approach for dentin-pulp complex regeneration. This study evaluated the healing capacity of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) on partially pulpotomized teeth in a dog model.

METHODS: Twelve mongrel dogs were selected, and a total number of 192 posterior mandibular and maxillary teeth were involved in the study (16 teeth per dog). Partial pulpotomies were performed, and the dogs were assigned into 2 equal groups (groups 1 and 2), 6 dogs in each group. The coronal pulp cavities (n = 96) of group 1 were filled with calcium silicate-based capping material. Group 2 coronal pulp cavities (n = 96) were seeded with 1 × 105 cell/mL BMSCs, and then the cavities were filled with calcium silicate-based capping material. After placing the capping materials, the cavities of both groups (1 and 2) were filled with resin-modified glass ionomer restorative material. From each group, 48 teeth from 3 dogs were evaluated histologically after 1 week, and the other 48 teeth from the remaining 3 dogs were evaluated after 9 weeks. Scoring was done for the amount of inflammatory cell infiltrates, tissue necrosis, and thickness of hard tissue bridge formation.

RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U statistical test performed for hard tissue bridge formation revealed significant differences between the 2 groups at the 1- (P < .05) and 9-week (P < .05) examination periods.

CONCLUSIONS: Autologous BMSCs have significant therapeutic potential because they enhance the healing capacity of partially pulpotomized dogs' teeth.