Dental science advances from root canal treatments to stem cell regeneration

Advancements in dental science are focusing on preserving natural teeth through both traditional restorative procedures and emerging regenerative technologies.

Traditional methods such as root canal therapy and apicoectomy aim to save teeth by removing infected pulp tissue and sealing the canals to prevent bone loss. While effective, these procedures remove the tooth's biological vitality. To address this, the startup Stemden is developing SD-101, a regenerative treatment designed to activate existing dental pulp stem cells. Rather than transplanting external cells, this technology uses a specific compound to promote the natural regeneration of dentin.

Stemden, led by CEO Jang Il-ho, has successfully demonstrated the regenerative potential of this approach in animal testing and is currently preparing for human clinical trials. The goal is to supplement existing bioactive materials with pharmacological functions that encourage the body's own healing processes.