Bioactive molecules and the future of pulp therapy

Direct capping of bioactive molecules or implantation of these molecules in the pulp may induce the formation of reparative dentin and coronal or radicular pulp mineralization. In this review, we summarize what is known and/or assumed on the biological mechanisms of these therapies. We report on the effects which were obtained experimentally in rat maxillary molars by implantation of Bone Sialoprotein (BSP)/collagen pellets and Specific Amelogenin Gene Splice Products [A+4] and [A-4]) adsorbed on agarose beads. The effects were compared with those of BMP-7 (OP-1) and Ca(OH)2. Depending on the molecule that was used, we obtained either the formation of a dentin bridge, or the filling of the pulp in the mesial part of the coronal pulp chamber, or the total mineralization of the root canal. These molecules may provide new therapeutic tools in the next future in dentistry.