Cell Notes: Pulp Function: How Dental Stem Cells Are Reinventing Implants

n her monthly column "Cell Notes," AABB's Christina Celluzzi, PhD, MS, CABP(H), shares insights, findings and commentary on emerging topics in biotherapies. Subscribe to CellSource, AABB's biotherapies newsletter, to receive "Cell Notes" and the latest news directly in your inbox. 

Biotherapies are showing up in some unexpected places these days—including the dentist’s chair. We’ve seen cell and gene therapies transform cancer treatment, immune disorders and wound healing. Now, regenerative science is starting to make its mark in dentistry too. Traditional dental implants depend on osseointegration—where a titanium post fuses with the jawbone to create a solid anchor. It works well, but the result is biologically passive: no soft-tissue connection, no sensory feedback and nothing like a real tooth. 

That intersection between biology and restoration reminded me of something more personal. When I was first exploring career paths, I gave serious thought to dentistry. I ultimately chose a different direction—toward blood and biotherapies—but this fascinating research brought that early interest right back into view. And with studies like this one, it’s easy to see why. It’s not about fixing teeth but about restoring function – using the tools of regenerative medicine in entirely new ways. 

A recent Scientific Reports study illustrates this shift beautifully. Researchers introduced a next-generation implant design that goes far beyond mechanical stability. They coated titanium implants with biodegradable elastomer nanofibers, fibroblast growth factor-β (FGF-β), and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), then implanted them in rodent tooth sockets using a minimally invasive technique that preserved the native nerve endings. Over six weeks, these biologically enhanced implants didn’t just anchor—they regenerated. Imaging showed a ligament-like, 0.7–0.9 mm gap between the implant and surrounding bone, mimicking the natural periodontal interface rather than eliminating it. Most notably, this newly formed tissue showed characteristics of nerve regeneration, pointing to the return of proprioception—our body’s ability to sense position, movement and pressure, which is essential for natural chewing and oral awareness. 

Other studies have explored the use of stem cells to enhance bone integration and healing around implants, primarily to improve the speed and strength of osseointegration. However, this study sets itself apart by aiming to recreate the complex, living interface between the tooth and surrounding tissue—including nerves—rather than replacing it with fused bone. It’s a shift from structural repair toward true functional regeneration. 

That said, this particular bioengineered approach—combining nanofiber scaffolds, DPSCs and FGF-β—to my knowledge, has not yet been tested in humans. It remains at the preclinical stage, and further research and clinical trials will be essential to evaluate safety, efficacy and scalability for clinical use. 

For the biotherapies community, it’s a compelling sign that regenerative medicine is expanding into new and sometimes unexpected corners of health care. As dentistry begins to embrace stem cell–based solutions, we’ll need rigorous standards for collecting, preserving and applying these therapies safely and effectively. After all, as this study reminds us, sometimes the most promising regenerative therapies come from the least expected places—and it turns out that pulp function might be more than just a clever title.