Matrix metalloproteinases in dentin: Assessing their presence, activity, and inhibitors - a review of current trends

Dentin integrity is a critical aspect of tooth structure, with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) playing a crucial role in dentinogenesis, caries formation, and dental bonding. It is crucial to accurately assess MMP activity to understand dentin pathophysiology and develop effective clinical strategies.

The study aimed to conduct a thorough review and comprehensive summary of diverse techniques employed in assessing MMPs in dentin.

To conduct the research, electronic databases were systematically searched and manual citation searches were performed. A total of 621 articles were identified. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant studies, 70 articles were included in the review. 25 articles with overlapping methodologies were also excluded.

The selection criteria were based on the relevance of the studies to MMPs and MMP inhibitors in dentin without regard to the study design. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English were included. The search was restricted to studies published until November 2022.

The comprehensive analysis of various studies has yielded 37 techniques for evaluating MMPs and MMP inhibitors, which hold significant promise in creating diagnostic markers and devising targeted therapeutic interventions.