Application of Stem Cell Encapsulated Hydrogel in Dentistry

Abstract

Tissue engineering has become a hopeful approach for reconstructing injured tissues. Researchers and dentists are focusing on employing tissue engineering in areas of damaged tissue in the craniofacial region. Among the various scaffolds utilized as tissue engineering targets, hydrogels represent a scaffold of suitable capability for use as a delivery system and artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) in orofacial tissue engineering. This is because of their high-water content, ability to form a desired shape, sustained release of biological factors, minimally invasive injection method, similarity to the natural ECM with a porous framework for cell transplantation, and their ability to allow for cellular proliferation. This chapter presents the overview of the hydrogels and their applications in orofacial and dental tissue engineering. Also, we highlight some of their properties that provide a guide for selecting appropriate features to prepare suitable hydrogels.