Extracellular Vesicles in Regenerative Dentistry.

Abstract

The regeneration of orodental and craniofacial tissues remains a primary clinical challenge owing to the requirement of harmonized integration of hard-soft tissues, immune modulation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles containing RNAs, metabolites, lipids, and proteins that have surfaced as vital paracrine regulators able to coordinate these intricate mechanisms without the intrinsic risks associated with cell transplantation. This review synthesizes extensive in vivo evidence and evolving clinical findings highlighting that EVs from immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells, dental stem cells, and engineered origins regulate periodontal and dental pulp regeneration, peri-implant osseointegration, temporomandibular joint disorders, root resorption, orthodontic tooth movement, and craniomaxillofacial bone repair. EVs function as context-based biological regulators: regenerative EVs enhance M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophage polarization, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and odonto-osteogenesis, while EVs from pathogenic, mechanically stressed, or inflamed cells can initiate inflammation, osteoclastogenesis, and tissue damage. EV long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs play a critical part in dictating reparative versus destructive outcomes by regulating the TGF-β/SMAD, PI3K/protein kinase B, NF-κB, and immune-metabolic cascades. Biomaterial-based delivery platforms and engineered EVs, such as surface-modified dental implants, scaffolds, and hydrogels, consistently improved local retention, efficacy, and multi-tissue repair. Crucially, human studies indicate clinically significant enhancements in periodontal and alveolar bone regeneration, emphasizing their translational promise. Nonetheless, clinical implementation is restricted by heterogeneity in EV origins, cargo variability, manufacturing methods, dosage, and delivery approaches, together with an incomplete comprehension of how to predict their bioactivity. Future advances will mandate Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV)-guided optimization, functional release criteria, localized delivery systems, potency-driven classification, and scalable Good Manufacturing Practices production. Overall, current evidence positions EVs as cell-free, adaptable mediators with transformative potential for precision-guided craniofacial therapy and regenerative dentistry.