Stem Cell Therapy in Maxillofacial Surgery: A Literature Review

Abstract

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in maxillofacial surgery, offering novel solutions for the regeneration of bone and soft tissues lost due to trauma, congenital anomalies, infection, or tumor resection. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), oral-derived stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These cells exhibit remarkable multipotency, immunomodulatory properties, and capacity for tissue repair. Clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate that stem cell-based therapies—especially when combined with advanced biomaterials and scaffolds—can enhance bone regeneration, improve vascularization, and reduce complications compared to conventional grafting. Dental-derived MSCs, in particular, are gaining traction due to their accessibility and strong regenerative potential. Despite promising results, challenges remain regarding standardization of protocols, long-term safety, and regulatory approval. This review critically examines the sources, mechanisms, clinical applications, and future directions of stem cell therapy in maxillofacial surgery, highlighting the convergence of biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering in advancing patient care.

Keywords

• Stem cell therapy
• Maxillofacial surgery
• Bone regeneration
• Mesenchymal stem cells
• Regenerative medicine.

Maksillofasiyal Cerrahide Kök Hücre Tedavisi: Bir Literatür İncelemesi

Abstract

Kök hücre tedavisi, travma, konjenital anomaliler, enfeksiyon veya tümör rezeksiyonu nedeniyle kaybedilen kemik ve yumuşak dokuların rejenerasyonu için yeni çözümler sunan maksillofasiyal cerrahide dönüştürücü bir yaklaşım olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Kök hücre tedavisi, mezenkimal kök hücrelerin (MSC'ler), yağdan türetilen kök hücrelerin (ADSC'ler), oral kaynaklı kök hücrelerin ve indüklenmiş pluripotent kök hücrelerin (iPSC'ler) potansiyelinden yararlanan umut verici bir alternatif olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu hücreler, dikkate değer çok yönlülük, immünomodülatör özellikler ve doku onarımı kapasitesi sergiler. Klinik ve klinik öncesi çalışmalar, kök hücre bazlı tedavilerin, özellikle gelişmiş biyomalzemeler ve iskelelerle birleştirildiğinde, geleneksel greftlemeye kıyasla kemik rejenerasyonunu artırabileceğini, vaskülarizasyonu iyileştirebileceğini ve komplikasyonları azaltabileceğini göstermektedir. Özellikle diş kaynaklı MSC'ler, erişilebilirlikleri ve güçlü rejeneratif potansiyelleri nedeniyle ilgi görmektedir. Umut verici sonuçlara rağmen, protokollerin standardizasyonu, uzun vadeli güvenlik ve düzenleyici onay konusunda zorluklar devam etmektedir. Bu inceleme, maksillofasiyal cerrahide kök hücre tedavisinin kaynaklarını, mekanizmalarını, klinik uygulamalarını ve gelecekteki yönlerini eleştirel bir şekilde inceleyerek, hasta bakımının ilerlemesinde biyoteknoloji, rejeneratif tıp ve doku mühendisliğinin bir araya gelişini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Kök hücre tedavisi
• Maksillofasiyal cerrahi
• Kemik rejenerasyonu
• Mezenkimal kök hücreler
• Rejeneratif tıp.

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