Abstract

ALVES, Luciana Bastos; LINS, Ruthinéia Diógenes Alves Uchôa  and  BARBOZA, Carlos Augusto Galvão. Identification of mesenchymal stem cells in the periodontal ligament and perspectives for periodontal regeration: literature review. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.1, pp. 7-12. ISSN 1677-3888.

The search for new therapies to restore the structural integrity of the periodontium, destroyed by the progression of periodontal disease, has gained new perspectives with the advance in stem cell research and tissue bioengineering. In addition to the embryo, stem cells are also found in various organs and tissues of adult individuals, where they take part in tissue homeostasis, generating new cells owing to physiological renewal and opening new perspectives for regenerating and recovering tissues and organs. These cell populations or adult stem cells have been easily identified by their morphology and location in a the of tissues. The idea that these cells are present in the periodontal ligament is based on the repairing capacity of these cells, given that they can be differentiated in osteoblasts, cementoblasts, fibroblasts and conjunctive tissue components. This literature review aims to discuss the identifying of stem cells in the periodontal ligament, in light of the interest in the regenerative potential of these cells and in their applicability for periodontal regeneration.

Keywords : Stem Cells; Periodontal Ligament; Regeneration.