Gene therapy a new approach in dentistry: human or microbial gene modification

Abstract

Introduction: This review provides an update on transfer techniques and clinical implications of gene therapy in dentistry. Gene therapy is a new biomedicine emerging field that manipulates genes to achieve gain function in patient cells. Gene therapy essentially consists of introducing specific genetic material into target cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to make a beneficial protein without producing toxic effects on surrounding tissue. Gene therapy can be used to treat wide range of diseases ranging from single gene disorder to multi gene disorder. It has variety of applications in the field of dentistry like in periodontal disease, cancerous and precancerous condition, salivary gland disorders, autoimmune diseases, bonerepair, DNA vaccination, etc. Minor salivary glands and keratinocytes present in the oral mucosa are excellent target sites for gene therapy since it can be readily accomplished with minimal invasive manner. As a new aspect scientists investigating for tooth regrown using shark gene networkactivation in human cells. Applications of gene therapy to dental and oral problems illustrate the potential impact of this technology on dentistry. Aim of this article is to description in brief on the application, limitation and disadvantage of gene therapy in dentistry. Key words: Gene therapy, Dentistry, Viral vector, Stem cell.