Zheng, YLiu, YZhang, C MLi, W HShi, SLe, A DWang, S L2023-05-222023-05-222009-01-012022-06-22https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/9200Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth have been identified as a new post-natal stem cell population with multipotential differentiation capabilities, including regeneration of mineralized tissues in vivo. To examine the efficacy of utilizing these stem cells in regenerating orofacial bone defects, we isolated stem cells from miniature pig deciduous teeth and engrafted the critical-size bone defects generated in swine mandible models. Our results indicated that stem cells from miniature pig deciduous teeth, an autologous and easily accessible stem cell source, were able to engraft and regenerate bone to repair critical-size mandibular defects at 6 months post-surgical reconstruction. This pre-clinical study in a large-animal model, specifically swine, allows for testing of a stem cells/scaffold construct in the restoration of orofacial skeletal defects and provides rapid translation of stem-cell-based therapy in orofacial reconstruction in human clinical trials.Author keywords: BoneDeciduous toothMiniature pigStem cellTissue engineering MeSH: AnimalsBone RegenerationCellsCulturedDental PulpDisease ModelsAnimalFeasibility StudiesFemaleGreen Fluorescent ProteinsGuided Tissue RegenerationMandibular DiseasesMicroscopyFluorescenceOsteogenesisReconstructive Surgical ProceduresStem Cell TransplantationStem CellsSwineSwineMiniatureTissue EngineeringTissue ScaffoldsTomographyX-Ray ComputedToothDeciduousTransplantationAutologous EMTREE drug terms: diagnostic agentgreen fluorescent proteintissue scaffold EMTREE medical terms: animalarticleautotransplantationbone developmentbone regenerationcell culturecomputer assisted tomographycytologydeciduous toothdisease modelfeasibility studyfemalefluorescence microscopyjaw diseasemethodologyminipigphysiologyplastic surgerystem cellstem cell transplantationswinetissue engineeringtissue regenerationtooth pulpDentistryEndodontics and EndodontologyOral and Maxillofacial SurgeryOral Biology and Oral PathologyPeriodontics and PeriodontologyArticle