REVIEW
Cell and Organ Transplantology. 2026; 14(1):e2026141191.
DOI: 10.22494/cot.v14-1.191
Genetic engineering as a novel approach in tooth regeneration: CRISPR technologies, regenerative strategies, and clinical translation in dentistry
Demkovych A.1
, Yaremchuk O.1, Demianchuk M.2, Kulitska M.1, Hlyvka N.1, Shcherba V.1
- 1I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Ternopil, Ukraine
- 2Municipal Institution of Higher Education “Rivne Medical Academy” of Rivne Region Council, Rivne, Ukraine
Abstract
The relevance of the study is due to the rapid development of regenerative dentistry, which is gradually moving from traditional restoration methods to biological restoration of dental tissues based on genetic engineering, cell technologies and precision medicine.
The purpose of this review was to summarize and critically analyze modern literary sources on the role of genetic engineering in stimulating tooth growth and restoration, as well as to determine the prospects for its implementation in clinical dental practice.
Materials and methods included a systematic search and analysis of scientific publications in international databases using keywords covering gene engineering, CRISPR/Cas, stem cells, tooth regeneration and oncological aspects of dentistry. The selected sources were analyzed taking into account their scientific novelty, relevance and level of evidence.The results were summarized by thematic areas, which included genome editing, cell therapy, dental bioengineering and the use of CRISPR in tumor research.
Results. The analysis of results of published studies indicates that genome editing technologies, in particular CRISPR/Cas, significantly expand the capabilities of regenerative dentistry. It has been established that genetically modified dental stem cells demonstrate an increased ability to odontogenic differentiation and dentin formation.Separate studies confirm the possibility of creating tooth-like structures in vitro using cell cultures, biomaterials and 3D technologies.It has also been shown that CRISPR screenings allow the identification of new molecular targets and mechanisms of tumor resistance, which is important for the development of precision dentistry and oncology.At the same time, most of the research is at the preclinical stage, and the implementation of these technologies in practice is limited by technical, biological and ethical factors.
Conclusions. An analysis of modern literary sources showed that genetic engineering is a promising direction in the development of modern dentistry, capable of changing approaches to the treatment of tooth loss and oral diseases.Further research should be aimed at improving methods for delivering genetic material, increasing the accuracy of genome editing, and ensuring the safety of clinical application.
Keywords: regenerative dentistry; genetic engineering; CRISPR/Cas; stem cells; enamel remineralization; dentin regeneration; oral cancer
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Demkovych A, Yaremchuk O, Demianchuk M, Kulitska M, Hlyvka N, Shcherba V. Genetic engineering as a novel approach in tooth regeneration: CRISPR technologies, regenerative strategies, and clinical translation in dentistry. Cell Organ Transpl. 2026; 14(1):e2026141191. doi: https://doi.org/10.22494/cot.v14-1.191
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