Regenerative endodontics as a tissue engineering approach: past, current and future

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Research

Background:

• High incidence of tooth decay and tooth loss necessitates advanced dental tissue replacement therapies.
• Dental tissue engineering has emerged as a promising field for regenerating dental tissues and creating bioengineered teeth.
• The evolution of dental regenerative therapies includes applications from vital pulp therapy to fully bioengineered teeth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the achievements, current developments, and future prospects of tissue engineering and regenerative therapy in endodontics.
• To highlight the key elements required for successful dental tissue engineering, including stem cells, scaffolds, morphogens, and a conductive environment.
• To discuss the potential of bioengineered teeth (bioteeth) as an alternative to traditional dental treatments.

Main Methods:

• Review of past achievements and current research in dental tissue engineering.
• Analysis of the fundamental components of tissue engineering: stem cells, scaffolds, morphogens, and conductive environment.
• Exploration of the application of dental tissue engineering in endodontics and the development of bioengineered teeth.

Main Results:

• Successful application of tissue engineering principles in dentistry, including the development of bioengineered teeth in mice.
• Advancements in understanding the requirements for successful tissue regeneration, emphasizing the importance of a conductive environment.
• Identification of practical obstacles that need to be overcome for clinical translation of dental tissue regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Dental tissue engineering holds significant potential for revolutionizing endodontics and restorative dentistry.
• Further research is needed to address current limitations and translate laboratory successes into evidence-based clinical practices.
• The development of bioengineered teeth represents a major milestone, with future prospects for widespread clinical use.