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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
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Establishing Organoids from Human Tooth as a Powerful Tool Toward Mechanistic Research and Regenerative Therapy
Published on: April 13, 2022
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Autophagy in tooth: Physiology, disease and therapeutic implication
Shengyan Yang1,2, Wenguo Fan2, Yaoyin Li1,2
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Cell Biochemistry and Function
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular cleanup process, is vital for maintaining tooth health and repairing damage. Modulating autophagy shows promise for treating dental diseases and regenerating tooth structures.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Dental Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process for degrading damaged components.
- It plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis and integrity of the dentin-pulp complex.
- Autophagy is implicated in various physiological and pathological conditions affecting the tooth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse roles of autophagy in tooth physiology and pathology.
- To explore the involvement of autophagy in tooth development, aging, and stress adaptation.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulation for dental diseases and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent discoveries on autophagy in dentistry.
- Analysis of studies investigating autophagy's role in pulpitis, periapical infections, and tooth development.
- Synthesis of information on therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy.
Main Results:
- Autophagy acts as a critical quality control mechanism for the dentin-pulp complex.
- It is activated by stress and involved in the pathogenesis of dental inflammatory diseases.
- Emerging evidence highlights its significance in tooth development, aging, and adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy is a key player in maintaining dental health and responding to pathological insults.
- Targeting autophagy presents a promising therapeutic avenue for dental disease treatment and tissue regeneration.
- Further research into autophagy modulation could revolutionize restorative dentistry.
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