This study aimed to investigate effects of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on regeneration of a defect experimentally created in the periodontium of a canine model. Surgically created mesial 3-walled periodontal defects with ligature-induced periodontitis were produced bilaterally in the first lower premolar teeth of 10 mongrel dogs. Simultaneously, DPSCs were derived from the maxillary premolar teeth of the same dogs. Four weeks after creation of the periodontitis model, autologous passaged-3 DPSCs combined with Bio-Oss were implanted on one side as the test group. On the other side, only Bio-Oss was implanted as a control. Eight weeks after surgery, regeneration of the periodontal defects was evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically in terms of bone, periodontal ligament (PDL), and cement formation. Histologically, in all test specimens (10 defects), regeneration of cementum, bone, and PDL was observed. In the control groups, although we observed the regeneration of bone in all defects, the formation of cementum was seen in 9 defects and PDL was seen in 8 defects. Histomorphometric analyses showed that the amount of regenerated cementum and PDL in the test groups (3.83 ± 1.32 mm and 3.30 ± 1.12 mm, respectively) was significantly higher than that of the control groups (2.42 ± 1.40 mm and 1.77 ± 1.27 mm, respectively; P< .05). A biocomplex consisting of DPSCs and Bio-Oss would be promising in regeneration of periodontal tissues.

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