Taking a bite out of spinal cord injury: do dental stem cells have the teeth for it?

Dental stem cells are an emerging star on a stage that is already quite populated. Recently, there has been a lot of hype concerning these cells in dental therapies, especially in regenerative endodontics. It is fitting that most research is concentrated on dental regeneration, although other uses for these cells need to be explored in more detail. Being a true mesenchymal stem cell, their capacities could also prove beneficial in areas outside their natural environment. One such field is the central nervous system, and in particular, repairing the injured spinal cord. One of the most formidable challenges in regenerative medicine is to restore function to the injured spinal cord, and as yet, a cure for paralysis remains to be discovered. A variety of approaches have already been tested, with graft-based strategies utilising cells harbouring appropriate properties for neural regeneration showing encouraging results. Here we present a review focusing on properties of dental stem cells that endorse their use in regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on repairing the damaged spinal cord.