Cryopreservation in Dentistry: Cryobiological Paradigms, Current Applications, and Transformative Prospects at the Forefront of Dental Regenerative Therapeutics

Objective: This study aimed to review the scientific literature on cryopreservation applied to dentistry, with a special focus on the preservation of dentoalveolar structures and mesenchymal stem cells of dental origin. The aim was to understand the biological foundations involved, technological advances, and future prospects for the creation of autogenous tooth banks and bioengineered constructs. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, considering publications published between 2005 and 2025. The descriptors used were: cryopreservation, dental stem cells, tooth bank, and tissue engineering. Original articles, systematic reviews, and experimental trials related to the cryopreservation of dental stem cells, whole teeth, and dentoalveolar tissues were included. The data were organized into categories: principles of cryobiology, technical protocols, current clinical applications, and potential advances. Results: The reviewed literature confirms that cryopreservation is already a reality for the conservation of isolated dental stem cells, using protocols that combine cryoprotectants such as DMSO with controlled cooling rates, minimizing damage from ice crystallization. However, the preservation of whole teeth faces significant technical challenges due to tissue heterogeneity and limited diffusion of cryoprotectants. Experimental research indicates promising advances in tooth banks for reimplantation and bioengineered constructs, although they are still far from consolidated clinical application. Conclusion: Cryopreservation is emerging as a transformative strategy in regenerative and personalized dentistry, integrating concepts of cryobiology with advanced tissue engineering techniques. However, clinical consolidation depends on overcoming technical limitations and overcoming bioethical and regulatory barriers. In this context, the concept of "cryodentistry" emerges, pointing to a future in which the preservation of tissues and whole teeth could enhance regenerative therapies, reinforcing the role of cryopreservation as a central tool in future dentistry.