The prospect of improved regeneration is not only the promise held out by stem cell research, critical studies of unique aspects of early human development are now within reach with the use of embryonic stem cells. Although our understanding of the molecular pathways underlying mesenchymal stem cells differentiation is expanding, translation of this knowledge into tissue engineering strategies remains in its infancy. In the context of orofacial tissue engineering, populations of stem cells that form bone, cementum; dentin and even periodontal ligament have been identified. This has unlocked a...