Present and future of tissue engineering scaffolds for dentin-pulp complex regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Dental Pulp Biology

Background:

• Tooth decay affects over two-thirds of the global population, leading to cavities and loss of tooth vitality.
• Current treatments like pulp capping and root canals have limitations, often resulting in irreversible inflammation or non-vital teeth.
• Preserving pulp vitality is crucial for tooth homeostasis and durability, highlighting a critical need for advanced regenerative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical problem of rescuing diseased tooth vitality and the limitations of existing therapies.
• To comprehensively report on various biomaterials for dentin-pulp complex regeneration.
• To present innovative smart polymeric biomaterials for overcoming regeneration challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current clinical interventions and ongoing research in dentin-pulp regeneration.
• Analysis of naturally-derived and synthetically-engineered polymers, ceramics, and composite scaffolds.
• Exploration of smart polymeric biomaterials for enhanced regenerative potential.

Main Results:

• Existing pulp capping materials frequently lead to inflammation and reinfection, failing to achieve healthy tissue regeneration.
• A wide range of biomaterials, including polymers, ceramics, and composites, are being investigated for dentin-pulp regeneration.
• Innovative smart polymeric biomaterials show significant promise for overcoming current regeneration challenges.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for novel biomaterials to regenerate the dentin-pulp complex and preserve tooth vitality.
• Understanding micro-environmental interactions, growth factors, and progenitor cells is key to designing effective scaffolds.
• Smart polymeric biomaterials offer a promising avenue for future clinical applications in restorative dentistry.