Comparative Histological Evaluation of Stem Cell-Loaded Scaffolds in Oral and Maxillofacial Tissue Repair: A Comprehensive Analysis of Regenerative Efficacy

Aim: The objective of the research is to evaluate and compare histological and histomorphometric research of DPSC-based collagen scaffold and autologous bone graft in oral and maxillofacial tissue regeneration. Methodology: Wistar rats were three groups of adult male rats. Critical-sized alveolar bone defect (5 x 4 mm) was generated in both the right and the left mandible ramus symmetrically in all animals. Group A was given autologous bone graft, Group B was given collagen hydrogel scaffold that was seeded with dental pulp stem cell (DPSCs), and Group C was given acellular scaffolds. Sampling of the animals was done at specified times postoperative, and the animal specimens were examined under hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome Masson and CD31 immunohistochemistry; histomorphometry was employed to measure epithelial thickness, percent collagen deposition, micro vessel density, and bone formation. Findings: The autograft and control group had significantly lower values than Group B at 21 st days (61.5 ± 3.5 um and 39.2 ± 2.8 um respectively) in terms of epithelial thickness. The stem cell-loaded scaffold had a percentage of 64.1 ± 4.0% collagen deposition compared to that of autograft group (46.8 ± 3.5) and control group (25.3 ± 2.6), a fact that was significantly high. The number of microvessels density in group B was significantly more in each of the groups (12.1 ± 1.2 vessels/high-power field) than the group A (7.2 ± 0.8 vessels/high-power field) or group C (3.8 ± 0.3 vessels/high-power field). Quantitative bone histomorphometry revealed that day 21 Group B bone had approximately 60.3 ± 4.2% of the defect space filled with the new bone formation which was considerably greater than in the autograft group (41.7 ± 3.5%), and the control group (20.9 ± 2.6%). Conclusion: DPSC-collagen scaffold has been established to be an improved therapeutic modality in oral and maxillofacial tissue regeneration due to the regenerative capacity of the triad components; the cell, scaffold, and the secreted bioactive molecules.