SYNOPSIS
Embryotoxic risk factors in dental biomaterials can be examined at the normal differentiation level of mouse embryonic stem cells. On the other hand, cell differentiation is promoted in regenerative medicine. Therefore, mechanisms involved in embryonic stem cell differentiation may have application to regenerative medicine using the embryonic stem cell test (EST). I explain about the EST in the dental field.
To evaluate the embryotoxicity of dental biomaterials, animal experiments are widely performed. However, such experiments are inappropriate for evaluation of the serious influences of biomaterials. There is a possibility that models for the prediction of embryotoxicity can be produced by in vitro tests. In 1997, Spielmann et al. proposed the first in vitro embryotoxicity test method using ES and 3T3 cells.
The EST holds promise as a screening assay based on the most important mechanisms in embryotoxicity, cytotoxicity and differentiation, as well on differences in sensitivity between adult and embryonic tissues.

Key words: embryonic stem cell, EST, dental, embryotoxicity, in vitro