Progress in the application of stem cell-loaded scaffolds promoting oral and maxillofacial tissue regeneration

Currently, the treatment methods for defects in oral soft and hard tissues primarily focus on non-regenerative restoration, bone transplantation and oral medicine treatments. However, these methods have certain drawbacks and risks, such as rejection reactions and the need for secondary removal. As a result, researchers have turned their attention to stem cells as a new approach. Stem cells possess immunomodulatory and regenerative abilities, and they can differentiate into various cell types, providing a foundation for tissue regeneration. During the repair process, scaffold materials are often utilized to load stem cells, enabling three-dimensional cell growth and tissue contact. The multilineage differentiation potential of stem cells, combined with the three-dimensional environment provided by scaffolds, establishes the groundwork for the application of stem cell-loaded scaffolds in oral and maxillofacial tissue regeneration. While there is a wide range of stem cell-loaded scaffold materials available, there is currently a lack of comprehensive research summaries in the field of dental applications. Therefore, this article aims to provide a review of commonly used stem cell-loaded scaffolds in oral tissue engineering, with the goal of offering reliable references for clinical selection.