Cells and material-based strategies for regenerative endodontics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Endodontics
• Dental Pulp Biology

Background:

• Caries-induced pulp inflammation necessitates treatments like root canal therapy or apexification.
• Current treatments often lead to loss of tooth vitality, sensitivity, and impaired healing.
• Pulp capping and dental pulp regeneration offer alternatives to preserve vitality and promote healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare various methods and techniques in regenerative endodontics.
• To highlight the advantages and disadvantages of current regenerative approaches.
• To summarize recent advancements in peptide-based materials for dental niche targeting.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on stem/progenitor cell applications in pulp regeneration.
• Analysis of revascularization strategies and scaffold-based techniques.
• Evaluation of material-based approaches, including peptide-based biomaterials.

Main Results:

• Successful regeneration of pulp tissue has been demonstrated using stem cells, revascularization, and biomaterials.
• Various techniques offer distinct benefits and drawbacks concerning efficacy and clinical applicability.
• Peptide-based materials show potential for targeted regeneration within the dental niche.

Conclusions:

• Regenerative endodontics presents a promising alternative to conventional treatments, preserving tooth vitality.
• Ongoing research focuses on optimizing cell-based therapies, revascularization, and advanced biomaterials.
• Peptide-based strategies represent a novel frontier in enhancing dental pulp regeneration.