Dental stem cells: Risk and responsibilities

Abstract

In early embryo development, the tooth tissues are originated from the neural crest anatomical site. Neural crest stem cells are considered embryonic-like stem cells, which are maintained under the control of Hox genes. Moreover, they are clonogenic cells and are able to differentiate into various cell types, such as odontoblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, neurons, melanocytes, and the muscles. Following the migration of neural crest stem cells during fetal development, the oral epithelium- and cranial crest-derived mesenchymal cells arise, which next form the dental follicle and dental pulp.