Where are the stem cells around the teeth and why are they important?

What is it about?

The tissue around teeth (periodontium) is constantly renewed and can become inflamed or diseased. This is a study of the specific cells that renew these tissues.

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Why is it important?

In mice, the renewing cells (stem cells) were labeled with cell tracking marker. The mice were treated to cause inflammation around the teeth (periodontitis). The cell tracking allowed the investigators to show there were changes in the number and contribution stem cells within the inflamed tissues. The number of stem cells that contributed to periodontal ligament decreased in the periodontitis-induced teeth, which explains why people with inflamed periodontal tissue lose their teeth.