Aim: This study was developed to demonstrate and characterize stem cells in pulp tissue of human deciduous teeth.

Methods: 10 Human deciduous teeth were collected and cut around the cementoenamel junction and single cell suspensions were obtained from pulp tissue established by enzyme digestion (3 mg/mL type I colagenase). Demonstration and characterization of stem cells with haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining as well as by immunocytochemistry staining using antibodies against CD44, CD133, OCT–4 and SSEA–4 surface receptors.

Results: Out of 10 samples all samples fulfilled the criteria for stem cells based on morphological characteristics studied on H and E stained smears. Out of 10 samples 8 samples were positive for cell surface marker CD44, 8 samples were positive for cell surface marker CD133, 8 samples showed nuclear expression of Oct– 4, 8 samples showed cytoplasmic expression of Oct–4 and 5 samples were positive for expression of SSEA–4

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrates two different population of stem cells, which significantly differ in morphological characteristics. One being mesenchymal stem cells and other pluripotent stem cells. Presence of these two populations of stem cells is confirmed by immunocytochemical study with cell surface marker CD44, CD133, OCT–4, SSEA–4. This study provides a description of a stem cell population residing in human deciduous teeth and establishes the foundation for further studies to determine the efficiency of using deciduous teeth in cellular based therapies.