Abstract

Background: Dental stem cells (DSCs), residing within various oral tissues, have surged to the forefront of regenerative medicine due to their unique accessibility, multipotency, and immunomodulatory properties, offering promising alternatives to traditional grafting techniques in dentistry and potential for systemic applications. Aim: This comprehensive review critically analyses the current global advancements and clinical translation of DSC therapies, with a specific focus on evaluating the evolving research landscape, contributions, challenges, and future potential within India. Objectives: To systematically categorize DSC types, their specific niches, molecular signatures, and differentiation capabilities. • To compare the volume, focus, and impact of global versus Indian DSC research outputs and clinical trials. • To synthesize evidence on clinical outcomes, efficacy, and safety of DSC-based therapies across various applications. • To identify key translational barriers (scientific, infrastructural, regulatory, economic) globally and specifically within India. • To propose concrete strategies and future directions for accelerating DSC research and clinical adoption, particularly in the Indian context. Material: A detailed narrative review synthesizing findings from recent (2000- 2025) global and Indian literature. Comprehensive searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and regional databases (e.g., IndMed) Inclusion criteria encompassed original research articles (in vitro, in vivo, clinical), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trial registries, conference proceedings, and reports from key institutions. Both human and preclinical studies were considered. Result: DPSCs and SHED demonstrate significant efficacy in preclinical models and emerging clinical trials for pulp-dentin complex regeneration, periodontal tissue engineering, bone augmentation, and neural repair. Global research is characterized by robust funding, advanced infrastructure, and progression into Phase II/III trials for specific indications. Indian research output is increasing quantitatively, focusing on cost-effective scaffolds, neural differentiation, and preclinical validation, but faces significant hurdles in translation due to infrastructural gaps, funding limitations, regulatory complexities, and lack of standardized protocols. Emerging technologies like exosome therapy, gene editing, and 3D bioprinting integrated with DSCs show immense future potential. Conclusion: DSCs represent a paradigm shift towards biological solutions in regenerative dentistry and medicine, with substantial global progress validating their therapeutic potential. India is emerging as a notable contributor in foundational research but lags in clinical translation. Realizing the full potential of DSCs in India necessitates urgent and concerted efforts in establishing standardized GMP facilities, enhancing funding mechanisms, streamlining ethicalregulatory pathways, fostering Interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and investing in clinician-scientist training and public awareness.

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