Challenges and prospects for popularizing cell therapy in the dentistry in Japan

Abstract

Background

Regenerative medicine is actively used in dentistry in Japan and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy shows promising potential. Despite the growing interest and some clinical and private practice applications, the adoption of MSC-based therapies remains limited. In this study, we report the current status of cell therapy in dentistry in Japan and discuss the challenges in popularizing cell therapy and the future direction of dental regenerative medicine.

Highlights

As of May 2025, MSCs were being used for oral tissue regeneration in clinical research and private practice. Dental pulp is the primary source of MSCs, followed by adipose tissue and bone marrow. Approximately 50 private practice dental clinics in Japan offer MSC-based therapies, with most outsourcing cell processing. Current challenges in ensuring the safety and validity of cell therapy in dentistry are: 1) limited verification of safety and efficacy for specific diseases before offering private practice and 2) lack of appropriately collected clinical data to support evidence-based practice.

Conclusion

To safely expand regenerative medicine in dentistry, stronger support for dental clinics is essential. This includes closer collaboration with academic institutions and the systematic collection of clinical data to ensure safety and efficacy.